Astros See Forrest Through The Trees
HOUSTON—The proximity between Houston and San Antonio made it easy for the Astros to heavily scout Forrest Whitley. They sent much of their front office to watch the Alamo Heights High righthander, including all-time great Nolan Ryan, now an executive advisor for the club.
Clearly, the reports were glowing enough for the Astros to make Whitley the 17th overall pick in the first round of the draft on Thursday.
Whitley, a power pitcher listed at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, was on the mound in a Class 5A State semifinals game in Round Rock, Texas, as the first round was taking place.
Whitley’s fastball ranges from about 92-97 mph and he also throws a curveball, a slider and a changeup. He previously pitched for Team USA’s 18U team.
“We feel it’s an explosive fastball, one that gets by hitters’ bats easily,” Astros scouting director Mike Elias said. “He’s exhibited outstanding command, given how hard he throws, in his career.
“I think what attracted us most to Forrest is not just his stuff, but his ability and polish when he’s using it. This kid is already a pitcher.”
The Florida State signee posted a 0.31 ERA in the regular season this year and with 126 strikeouts in 68 innings. From their draft room, the Astros followed a live stream of Whitley in his playoff game Thursday, in which he struck out 11 over 6 2/3 innings and logged 123 pitches in a 5-2 win.
Elias said Whitley has a “very fluid, polished delivery” rare for a pitcher his size. Josh Johnson and Mike Scott were names tossed around as comparisons.
“I think it’s rare to see a power pitcher who also has a feel for a changeup and he has that,” said Noel Gonzales-Luna, the Astros’ area scout for South Texas. “He’s comfortable with that as well as the two breaking balls that he features. It’s a really impressive, complete arsenal of weapons.”
SPACE SHOTS
• The Astros drafted Ohio State outfielder Ronnie Dawson with their second pick, No. 61 overall. Dawson, a lefthanded hitter listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, played left field for the Buckeyes. Elias said Dawson features “a really good blend of power and hitting for average and (is) not a big strikeout guy, so that’s something that we like to see.”
• This was the first year since 2011 the Astros did not own the first or second overall pick in the draft. The 17th pick marked their lowest first-round selection since 2009, when they drafted high school shortstop Jiovanni Mier No. 21 overall.
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