HBCU baseball star signs undrafted free agent deal

Southern University baseball standout KJ White is getting his opportunity to play professional baseball. White has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Oakland Athletics, officially launching the next chapter of his baseball career after emerging as one of the top HBCU players in the country.

Southern head coach Chris Crenshaw said White earned the opportunity through the work he put in throughout his collegiate career.

“I’m extremely proud of KJ and everything he accomplished during his time at Southern University,” Crenshaw said. “He came to work every day with a professional mindset and earned this opportunity through his dedication, consistency and commitment to becoming the best player he could be.”

White capped off a remarkable 2026 season by earning SWAC Hitter of the Year honors, First-Team All-SWAC recognition and becoming a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player.

Serving as Southern’s leadoff hitter and catalyst, White finished his collegiate career with a .421 batting average, collecting 81 hits, eight doubles, one home run and 33 RBIs while scoring 46 runs. He also posted a .486 on-base percentage and a .682 slugging percentage, consistently setting the tone atop the Jaguars’ lineup throughout the season.

White’s production helped power Southern to a 29-23 overall record and a 20-7 mark in SWAC play. The Jaguars’ 29 victories represented the most under Crenshaw and marked the program’s highest win total since the 2019 season. Now, White will look to build on one of the most decorated individual seasons in recent Southern baseball history as he begins his professional career with the Athletics organization.