Hanwha Eagles Bet $1 Million on Owen White to Replace MVP-Winning Ace

How do you replace an MVP and a 16-win ace who both just left for the majors? The Hanwha Eagles are betting $1 million on former MLB pitcher Owen White. The KBO club announced on December 24 that they've signed the 26-year-old right-hander to a one-year deal, consisting of an $800,000 salary and a $200,000 signing bonus. White will join Wilkel Hernandez, signed on November 29, to form a completely new-look foreign duo at the top of the Eagles' rotation.

The Prospect with a Point to Prove

A native of North Carolina, White was once a highly-touted prospect, selected in the second round of the 2018 draft by the Texas Rangers. However, his major league career has been brief and challenging. Across stints with the Rangers and Chicago White Sox from 2023 to 2025, he posted a 12.86 ERA with a 0-1 record over just 14 innings. His performance in Triple-A this year was also underwhelming, going 0-8 with a 4.44 ERA across 81 innings.

Despite the numbers, the Eagles are focused on his potential. The team said White boasts a six-pitch mix including a four-seam fastball, sweeper, and cutter. "He has a good command of his pitches, and as a one-time prospect in his mid-20s, he still has a great upside," the Eagles stated. According to Baseball Savant, his four-seamer averaged 92.3 mph this year.

Filling Historically Great Shoes

The pressure on White is immense, as he is replacing one of the most dominant pitching duos in recent KBO history. Cody Ponce was voted league MVP after winning the pitching Triple Crown with 17 wins, a 1.89 ERA, and a record 252 strikeouts before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. His running mate, Ryan Weiss, was nearly as dominant, notching 16 wins and 207 strikeouts en route to a deal with the Houston Astros. Together, they became the first teammates in KBO history to each surpass 200 strikeouts in the same season.