Forrest Whitley
Born:
09/15/1997 (Age: 26)
Bats:
Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 195
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 195
Primary Position: RHSP
Seconday Position: -
Acquisition Period:
1st Rd. (#17 Overall), 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (HOU)
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Report Info
| Evaluator: | John Eshleman |
| Report Date: | October 13th, 2018 |
| Dates Seen: | October 9, 2018 |
| Level: | AFL |
| Affiliate: | Scottsdale Scorpions |
| MLB Team: |
|
| On 40-Man Roster: | No |
Physical Description
Tall, lean, loose and athletic. Slim frame may add a few pounds, presents moderate durability risk.
Mechanical Notes
No windup, direct to plate w strong acceleration, effort at release. Loose arm, inverted-W, spine tilt to clear arm; electric arm speed, plus extension from H3/4 slot.
| MLB ETA | Present Role | Future Role | Role Description | Risk | 2019 | 60 | 70 | Frontline Starter | High |
|---|
| Pitch | Present | Future | Sitting | Range | Comments |
| Fastball Value | |||||
| Overall Fastball Value | 60 | 70 | — | — | Velocity and plane make pitch lethal when spotted down; command step will let pitch to play at double-plus |
| Velocity and plane make pitch lethal when spotted down; command step will let pitch to play at double-plus | |||||
| Fastball Velocity | 70 | 70 | 95 | 92-99 | Sat 95-96 1st 3 innings, lost tick. Gets on hitters w extension. |
| Fastball Velocity | |||||
| Fastball Movement | |||||
| Fastball Movement | 60 | 60 | — | — | Plus plane from high slot, hitters get top half of ball down in zone, late life to armside. |
| Plus plane from high slot, hitters get top half of ball down in zone, late life to armside. | |||||
| Fastball Command | |||||
| Fastball Command | 45 | 50 | — | — | Consistently down in zone, works well laterally. Effort in delivery affects consistency when fatigued, will pull offline and miss up. Pitch quality gives margin for error. |
| Consistently down in zone, works well laterally. Effort in delivery affects consistency when fatigued, will pull offline and miss up. Pitch quality gives margin for error. | |||||
| Curveball | |||||
| Curveball | 55 | 60 | 82 | 80-82 | Power CB w 12-5 shape, not a straight-downer. Flashes plus depth and hard bite, can leave it up and be barreled; should tighten consistency and location half-grade with reps. Uses as second pitch. |
| Power CB w 12-5 shape, not a straight-downer. Flashes plus depth and hard bite, can leave it up and be barreled; should tighten consistency and location half-grade with reps. Uses as second pitch. | |||||
| Slider | |||||
| Slider | 45 | 50 | 86-87 | 86-88 | Inconsistent; when sharp has distinct shape from FB 11-5 with average depth and bite. Doesn't locate as well as other seconds, more for chase. |
| Inconsistent; when sharp has distinct shape from FB 11-5 with average depth and bite. Doesn't locate as well as other seconds, more for chase. | |||||
| ChangeUp | |||||
| ChangeUp | 60 | 60 | 84 | 83-85 | Repeats armspeed, plus separation off fastball creates deception. Has fade to miss bats; throws it all counts and same-side; uses as 3rd pitch. |
| Repeats armspeed, plus separation off fastball creates deception. Has fade to miss bats; throws it all counts and same-side; uses as 3rd pitch. | |||||
| Cut Fastball | |||||
| Cut Fastball | 50 | 60 | 90-91 | 89-91 | Similar 11-5 shape as slider with sharper late bite; deception off fastball. Still developing, will get around it but flashes plus and shows present feel. |
| Similar 11-5 shape as slider with sharper late bite; deception off fastball. Still developing, will get around it but flashes plus and shows present feel. | |||||
| Control | |||||
| Control | 50 | 55 | — | — | Aggressive in zone; throws all pitches in or just off zone; can go to CH and CB for strikes. Will lose FB when fatigued. |
| Aggressive in zone; throws all pitches in or just off zone; can go to CH and CB for strikes. Will lose FB when fatigued. | |||||
| Attribute | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Average | Average |
| Athleticism | Plus | Plus |
| Pitchability | Plus | Plus |
| Mound Presence | Average | Average |
Overall Summary
Ace-level repertoire lead by FB with many ways to get outs, ready for middle of MLB rotation now. Body and delivery present moderate durability risk; pitcher will lead rotation if healthy. FB/CB/CH/CTR all generate swing and miss.
