Was this the throw of the year in Major League Baseball?

That remains to be seen, with several months still to play in the MLB season, but a former Clemson standout recently made his case with a ridiculous game-saving, outfield assist.

In an incredible display of defensive prowess, Atlanta Braves outfielder and former Tiger Eli White threw out Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio at home plate to seal a 3-2 victory for the Braves over the Brewers on June 19.

With the Braves clinging to a two-run lead in the top of the ninth inning at Truist Park in Atlanta, Milwaukee’s Brice Turang hit a single to left field, scoring one run.

But White fielded the ball and delivered a perfect, dart of a throw. It was right on the money to catcher Drake Baldwin and cut down the tying run in Chourio at home for the second out, preserving Atlanta’s lead and eventual victory.

The 31-year-old White is now in his fourth season with Atlanta. Back in December 2022, he was traded to the Braves from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. Drafted by the then-Oakland Athletics in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, White played three seasons (2020-22) in the majors with Texas after being traded to the Rangers from the A’s in 2018.

Along with his strong defense, White has contributed offensively for Atlanta as well with three home runs, a pair of steals and 14 RBI in 2026. His best game at the plate this season came against the New York Mets on June 13, when he tied a career high with three hits (one homer, two doubles) and drove in two runs to lead the Braves to a 3-1 win.

At Clemson, White was the starting shortstop during all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons. For his college career, he hit .275 with a .375 on-base percentage in 153 games (133 starts) over three seasons (2014-16) while notching 22 doubles, four triples, eight homers, 61 RBIs, 104 runs and 36 steals.

In his MLB career, as of June 20, White had accumulated 23 home runs, 23 doubles, six triples, 81 RBI, 112 runs and 32 stolen bases with a .210 average in 752 career at-bats across 321 regular season games.

–Photo courtesy of Clemson Baseball on Insagram