The long-awaited arrival of Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley was short-lived. Houston's 2016 first-round draft pick and former top pitching prospect has battled injuries over the years but finally got the call, only to face five batters in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Braves before being sent back down to Triple-A Sugar Land. The righty allowed a double, a walk, and hit a batter, but was able to record two outs in the inning. Even when healthy, Whitley hasn't been very effective, so we'll see where he goes from here. He's still just 26 years old, so perhaps a change of scenery would serve him well. For fantasy, however, he remains irrelevant.
The Houston Astros are calling up former top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley from the minors on Tuesday, according to a source. After a myriad of injuries, Whitley will be getting his first big-league call-up and will work as a reliever for a bullpen that needs a fresh arm. Whitley is on the 40-man roster, and the team's many other optionable relievers at Triple-A Sugar Land haven't been down long enough to be recalled without putting someone on the injured list. The 26-year-old got a late start at Sugar Land this year due to a finger injury and has allowed four runs while walking two and striking out four in three appearances on the farm before getting the call to Houston. Whitley's prospect status has faded and he should be ignored for now in fantasy, as he could be sent back to Sugar Land before long.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Forrest Whitley (finger) experienced middle finger soreness while warming up for a live bullpen session on Saturday, manager Joe Espada told members of the media, including The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Whitley ultimately skipped his bullpen session and is set to undergo additional evaluation with team doctors. Injuries have put a damper on the young career of Whitley, who was once regarded as a top prospect after being selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He posted a solid 9.60 K/9 and 46.8 GB% rate at Triple-A last year but also struggled at times, surrendering 5.10 BB/9 and 1.80 HR/9. Formerly a starter, Whitley is now trying to break camp as a reliever. This latest injury concern adds another obstacle in his long path to the majors.
Forrest Whitley Healthy, Transitioning To Relief Role
Houston Astros right-hander Forrest Whitley (lat) is healthy and has been throwing this offseason, and general manager Dana Brown said that Whitley will report to spring training as a reliever. Brown also said the team will get a fourth option year on the former top prospect. A right lat sprain limited the oft-injured 26-year-old hurler to just eight appearances (six starts) for Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023. He went 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 17 walks and 32 strikeouts in 30 innings before being shut down for good in May. Injuries and control problems have kept Whitley from making his major-league debut to this point, and now it appears the Astros are pulling the plug on him as a starter in order to try and keep him healthy. There's no guarantee he'll be on Houston's Opening Day roster.
Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley (shoulder) left Thursday night's game at Triple-A Sugar Land after feeling some discomfort in his right shoulder. Whitley's velocity was normal (93-96 mph), and he was removed from the contest as a precaution and is currently being evaluated. Given all of the 25-year-old's issues with shoulder injuries in the past, it makes sense for the Astros to be extra cautious. Whitley, the team's No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline, ended last year with a shoulder issue and has already missed a couple weeks in 2023 with the same injury, so this isn't good news at all. Once one of Houston's top pitching prospect, Whitley is trending in the wrong direction because of arm injuries, and he currently has a 5.70 ERA with 32 K's and 17 walks in 30 innings for Sugar Land.
The Houston Astros sent right-hander Forrest Whitley to minor-league camp on Sunday. Now ranked as the team's No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Whitley's prospect status has faded in recent years due to injuries, struggles in the minors and a suspension. The 25-year-old starter went 0-2 with a 6.53 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 40 innings over 13 outings (11 starts) at three minor-league levels in 2022 while returning from Tommy John surgery. Control has been a big issue for him, but he'll have a good shot to make his major-league debut in 2023 if he stays healthy. He's still young and the upside is there, but those in mixed redraft leagues can ignore him for now.
Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley (elbow) should return to game action by June after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. Whitley reached Double-A in 2017, a year after graduating high school, and was once the top pitching prospect in the game. But several injuries and command issues have made him more of a forgotten name heading into 2022. Whitley has five pitches that grade as plus or better when they're on, but his command lagged behind the quality of his arsenal before his elbow injury. MLB.com's Jim Callis thinks it's doubtful that he'll surface in the Astros rotation this year, as it usually takes pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery a while to regain their command.
Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. He will miss the entirety of the 2021 MLB season and a good chunk of the 2022 season as well. The former first round pick is the team's top prospect. He's 23 years old and struggled through his last minor league season in 2019. He pitched through several levels in 2019, including Triple-A, and went 3-7 with a 7.99 ERA and 1.726 WHIP. On the bright side, he averaged 13 K/9 over the season. In dynasty leagues, the buy-low window should be wide open for Whitley, just know that it will take a good deal of patience to hold onto him.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Forrest Whitley was recommended for Tommy John surgery by a doctor. Whitley is seeking a second opinion after experiencing arm soreness during a simulated game. The top pitching prospect would have likely made his Major-League debut this season, particularly with the recent injury to Framber Valdez, though it was not to be. Whitley flashed some serious strikeout potential in the minors- but never pitched more than 100 innings in any season so far in his career. The 23-year-old will now likely be unable to pitch until sometime next season, another devastating turn of events for the Astros.
The Houston Astros received more bad news on the pitching front after Forrest Whitley recently came down with arm soreness. The Astros' top pitching prospect was expected to get a longer look this spring after an injury to Framber Valdez but this unfortunate turn of events could put Whitley's availability in question for opening day. Injuries are not new for the young hurler. He has never thrown 100 innings in a season during his five-year career and has managed only 86 innings since 2018 due to visits to the trainer's table and the pandemic. Despite the injuries, Whitley has top-of-the-rotation stuff and enters 2021 ranked by Rotoballer as the 25th-best dynasty pitcher.
