Joe Whitman Stats & Scouting Report

IP	50.1
ERA	4.29
WHIP	1.37
BB/9	4.65
SO/9	9.66

Full name Joseph Daniel Whitman
Born 09/17/2001 in Akron, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Kent State
Drafted in the 2C round (69th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2023 (signed for $805,575).

View Draft Report

School: Kent State Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:50/High
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 55.

Whitman came to Kent State by way of Purdue and has blossomed as a key piece of the Golden Flashes’ weekend rotation. In 2023 he posted a 2.56 ERA over 15 starts and 81 innings, with a 29.1% strikeout rate and 8.4% walk rate, then pitched in the Cape Cod League after the season where he showcased loud stuff from the left side that has pushed him into day one consideration. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Whitman has a fast arm and throws from a low-to-mid, three-quarter slot. Whitman’s delivery has improved since last spring and the operation as a whole is a lot cleaner. He averaged 92 mph this spring and touched 96, with above-average spin. His best pitch is a sharp slider in the low 80s that has two-plane break and will eclipse the 3,000 rpm range and earn plus grades from scouts. He used the pitch nearly 40% of the time with Kent State and generated whiffs at a 38% rate. His low-to-mid-80s changeup wasn’t used all that much, but scouts thought it was an average pitch in the Cape Cod League. Whitman checks off plenty of boxes with his size, delivery, three-pitch mix and potentially above-average strike-throwing ability. Many consider him the best college lefthander in the class.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: In a draft class notable for its lack of quality lefthanders, Whitman stood out as the best southpaw available from the college ranks. In three years at Kent State, he established himself as a quality prospect who got plenty of whiffs and pounded the strike zone. San Francisco selected him with its second-round supplemental pick and signed him for $805,575. He reached Low-A in his first pro test and made six appearances between the Arizona Complex League and the California League.

Scouting Report: Whitman has excellent arm speed and works from a low slot with a three-pitch mix. His repertoire is fronted by a low-90s fastball with tailing action. The pitch peaked at 96 mph. His best offspeed is a sharp slider in the low 80s. The pitch has two-plane break and spin rates around 3,000 rpm. Those qualities make it effective against both lefthanders and righthanders. He finishes his mix with a changeup that sits in the mid 80s and flashed average potential, especially during his time in the Cape Cod League. Bringing the changeup to its ceiling will be a fulcrum in his career. If he can get it there, he’ll have a chance to fit in the back of a rotation. He should have above-average control and did a good job pounding the strike zone in his professional outings.

The Future: Whitman should reach High-A Eugene in his first full season. If his changeup improves, he has a ceiling as a No. 4 starter. If not, he could be an effective left-on-left reliever.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

Draft Prospects

School: Kent State Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:50/High
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 55.

Whitman came to Kent State by way of Purdue and has blossomed as a key piece of the Golden Flashes’ weekend rotation. In 2023 he posted a 2.56 ERA over 15 starts and 81 innings, with a 29.1% strikeout rate and 8.4% walk rate, then pitched in the Cape Cod League after the season where he showcased loud stuff from the left side that has pushed him into day one consideration. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Whitman has a fast arm and throws from a low-to-mid, three-quarter slot. Whitman’s delivery has improved since last spring and the operation as a whole is a lot cleaner. He averaged 92 mph this spring and touched 96, with above-average spin. His best pitch is a sharp slider in the low 80s that has two-plane break and will eclipse the 3,000 rpm range and earn plus grades from scouts. He used the pitch nearly 40% of the time with Kent State and generated whiffs at a 38% rate. His low-to-mid-80s changeup wasn’t used all that much, but scouts thought it was an average pitch in the Cape Cod League. Whitman checks off plenty of boxes with his size, delivery, three-pitch mix and potentially above-average strike-throwing ability. Many consider him the best college lefthander in the class.