The Astros introduced that right-hander Forrest Whitley has been designated for task. Left-hander Brandon Walter was referred to as up from Triple-A Sugar Land within the corresponding transfer.
Chosen seventeenth general within the 2016 draft, Whitley was as soon as considered as one in every of baseball’s high pitching prospects, and he was a fixture on top-100 prospect lists at the same time as accidents and a 50-game drug coverage suspension in 2018 hampered his profession. Because of the canceled 2020 minor league season and a Tommy John surgical procedure, Whitley went over 21 months (from September 2, 2019 to June 16, 2022) between a correct in-game look within the minor leagues.
That lengthy layoff was the turning level in Whitley’s profession, as he solely confirmed flashes of his prior kind as soon as he returned to the mound. A lat pressure restricted him to 30 Triple-A innings in 2023, however a transfer to full-time bullpen work in 2024 appeared to place Whitley heading in the right direction, as a 1.89 ERA over 33 1/3 aid innings for Spherical Rock earned Whitley his first style of MLB motion within the type of three appearances for the 2024 Astros.
Extra accidents arose this yr, as a left knee bone bruise and left knee sprain resulted in two separate journeys to the IL for Whitley. It’s fairly attainable his well being points impacted his efficiency, because the righty struggled to a 12.27 ERA over 7 1/3 innings for the Astros, with two house runs and 6 walks allowed inside that small pattern.
Whitley’s lack of effectiveness didn’t depart Houston with a lot alternative past a DFA, as Whitley is out of choices and may’t be despatched to the minors with out first being uncovered to waivers. Ought to he clear waivers, Whitley will be outrighted off the Astros’ 40-man roster and returned to Sugar Land, although it’s price questioning if the Astros is likely to be prepared to easily transfer on from Whitley fully.
Given Whitley’s previous pedigree, it wouldn’t be a shock if one other group claimed him away to see if a change of surroundings may lastly unlock the right-hander’s potential. The pure stuff nonetheless appears to be there, as Whitley’s fastball (96.3mph) and slider (96.7mph) have loads of velocity even when his stroll charges have spiraled upwards. Whitley remains to be solely 27 years outdated, and would possibly but be capable to be part of the lengthy listing of former high prospects who turned late bloomers by way of large league success.
