Astros Prospect Has Strong Showing In First Outing In Minors

Forrest Whitley, the Houston Astros’ first round pick in 2016, had a strong initial pitching performance at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

The 6-foot-7 Whitley threw four innings and allowed one earned run with four strikeouts.

The No. 21-ranked prospect missed the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and then the ’21 season because of Tommy John surgery.

Whitley returned in ’22 but struggled with his command.

Ther’s no guarantee that Whitley will pitch for the Astros this season, but Thursday’s outing was a big step in a positive direction.

Before this season, Whitley had only thrown 237 Minor League innings. He was ranked as the third-best right-hander in the Minor Leagues before the ’21 season.

Last year, Whitley made three rehab starts at the lower levels of the Minor Leagues before finishing the season at Triple-A. He appeared in 13 games, making 11 starts, and posted a 6.53 ERA in 40 innings. Whitley’s season abruptly ended when he was scratched prior to a start in September when he felt pain in the back of his shoulder.

If the Astros' bullpen goes through a string of injuries, Whitley could fill a need at some point.