Young SEMO thrower finding consistency, thriving with Catfish

The Cape Catfish have annihilated the remainder of the Prospect League this summer offensively.

Cape (17-2) has won six games by the 10-run rule and claimed another two by nine runs. However, the pitching for the team has proven to be just as dominant as the bats, and Southeast Missouri State sophomore-to-be Eddie White has contributed significantly to that success.

“We always talk about commanding the zones,” Cape pitching coach Jason Chavez said recently, “and that is what (White) does. He is super effortless. He doesn’t look like he is laboring at all on the mound.”

The Kansas City native just completed a solid first spring with the Redhawks, in which he threw in 13 appearances, including four starts. He has built on that experience by emerging as one of the top pitchers in the Prospect League after five outings.

“So far,” White said following his most recent outing, “it’s been good.”

White has thrown 15 1/3 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out 15 batters and giving up eight hits.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander ranks fourth in the Prospect League with a 1.17 ERA.

“He just commands the zone,” Chavez said. “He’s not a guy who is going to lose control and be all over the place. He is able to nip those corners and get those borderline calls at times.”

Being able to find the strike zone more consistently with his off-speed pitches has been the focus for White this summer.

In his most recent outing, a very good outing (despite the team loss) against O’Fallon, a game in which he gave up one earned run and struck out eight, White felt good about the progress his off-speed throws have shown.

“For me,” White said of his goals, “it’s to put spin in the game. I’ve struggled to get (those pitches) in there. I’m working on my changeup and curveball and getting those in there.

“(Against O’Fallon) My curveball was the best it’s been in a long time. I was over 80 percent (strikes on that pitch) today. I’m glad to get it in the zone and see it working the way that it should be.”

White explained the mechanics involved in getting his pitches more consistent have improved as he has found the right “grip” on the ball and “arm angle” on his throws.

“It’s hard to get that curveball over,” White said, “and get a changeup back in the game with different arm slots. This summer assignment has helped me figure that out, to get muscle memory figured out with what I need to do with each of those pitches.”

White is on an innings and pitch count this summer and probably only has a few weeks left with the club, but he has enjoyed his extended time in Cape Girardeau.

“It’s like a home game every time,” White said. “The people are recognizable, and it is a great community around here.

“I’m glad that I can perform for them both in the spring and the summer.”

As a pitching staff, the Catfish have simply been magnificent.

Cape leads the Prospect League in earned runs (57) by far, fewest walks (78), as well as ERA (3.19) by far.

The Catfish are the second-best pitching staff in the league in hits allowed (136) and strikeouts (166).

Cape will return to Capaha Field on Friday (vs. Jackson, 6:35 p.m.) and Saturday (vs. Alton, 6:35 p.m.), before traveling to Danville on Sunday (4:30 p.m.).

It is “National Catfish Day” on Sunday, so the club is celebrating both Friday and Saturday with Mario's famous Margaritas. as well as other drink specials.

There will be “deals” at the Catfish apparel tent, and the Cheesecake Ninja from Perryville will also be at the ballpark for both games.

In addition, on Saturday, local face painter Sam Yang will be in attendance to perform his skills on Catfish fans of all ages, which is courtesy of Cape Electric.