New England's top prep prospect in the Class of 2023, Phillips Andover left-handed pitcher Thomas White, announced his commitment to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University on Friday.
"I am beyond happy to announce my commitment to play baseball at Vanderbilt University," White wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for the unwavering support from my family and friends. Thank you to Rusty Tucker and Legends Prospects as well as [Kevin Graber] and Big Blue baseball for helping me become the player I am today. Huge thank you to Coach Corbin, Coach Baxter, Coach Brown and everyone at Vanderbilt for the opportunity to play for the most special program in the country!"
White, the top-rated prep/high school pitcher in the Class of '23 according to Perfect Game, waited longer than most top '23 prospects to commit to a college. No other player in Perfect Game's top 10 prospects in the Class of '23 was uncommitted as of Jan. of 2021.
Realistically, White is probably going to get drafted in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft — a seemingly inevitable outcome that would likely result in a seven-figure signing bonus and a jump directly to pro baseball out of high school. In an interview with New England Baseball Journal in January, White said he was in no rush to commit to a college coaching staff.