Matthew Whitney Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2136
AVG	.259
OBP	.345
SLG	.424
HR	74

Full name Matthew James Whitney
Born 02/13/1984 in West Palm Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Palm Beach Gardens
Drafted in the 1st round (33rd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2002 (signed for $1,125,000).

View Draft Report

Whitney was surging into the first round as the draft approached. He's a candidate for the Angels at the No. 12 pick, and at 6-foot-4 he's built along the lines of Troy Glaus, though he doesn't make as much contact or have as quick a bat. The Phillies, shopping for a replacement for Scott Rolen, are interested in Whitney at No. 17. He has a sweet swing, big-time power and a solid approach to hitting. He reminds some scouts of David Wright, a Mets supplemental first-rounder in 2001, with not quite the same strength. Another Clemson signee, Whitney is an athletic third baseman with a strong, accurate arm and steady hands. He began his high school career as a first baseman and outfielder, but there's no doubt he can handle the hot corner.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

One of the best high school hitters in the 2002 draft, Whitney slipped to the Indians with the 33rd overall pick and signed for $1.25 million. One of the most exciting position players to come into the Tribe system in years, he drew Manny Ramirez comparisons for his raw power after hitting 10 homers in 45 games at Rookie-level Burlington. But Whitney's career was derailed the following spring, when he broke his leg stepping on a water sprinkler on his way to a post-workout hoops session. The leg required several surgeries to repair, and Whitney wasn't fully healthy until 2006. Even then, his range at third base had decreased significantly and his struggles in the field carried over to the plate. The Indians moved him to first base during last spring and he wound up clubbing an organization-high 32 home runs in high Class A. Whitney has outstanding power to all fields, and he showed more ability to allow balls to get deeper in the zone with opposite-field pop in 2007. His swing still can get long at times and he might never hit for a high average. He's a below-average runner, but his defense at first base is adequate. Plucked from Cleveland in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, Whitney must remain on the 25-man roster all season or be placed on waivers and then offered back to the Indians for $25,000. The Nationals plan on keeping him, and GM Jim Bowden said Whitney will provide an insurance policy for oft-injured Nick Johnson and battle Tony Batista for major league at-bats. Washington made a second major league Rule 5 pick, taking line-drive hitting outfielder Garrett Guzman from the Twins.
Whitney was one of three Indians picks before the second round of the 2002 draft. While righthander Jeremy Guthrie and second baseman Micah Schilling have been extreme disappointments, it's too early to put Whitney in the same category even though he hasn't gotten past low Class A. He broke his left leg while playing basketball at spring training in 2003, which cost him the entire season and limited him to DH duties in 2004. The break required two surgeries, and his development has been circuitous ever since. He returned to low Class A last season, where he played third base extensively for the first time in three years. He has a solid approach at the plate, producing power to all fields. He showed the same explosiveness and fluid, rhythmic approach as he did as an amateur after building up strength in his lower half again. He has plus arm strength and good actions at the hot corner, and scouts rated him as a solid-average defender in 2005. While most of his draft class has passed him by, Whitney will make his long-awaited high Class A debut this season.
The Indians were delighted when Whitney unexpectedly fell to them as the No. 33 pick in the 2002 draft, and his strong debut in the Appalachian League encouraged them even more. But then he broke his left leg while playing basketball at spring training the following year, costing him all of 2003 and limiting him to DH last year. The break required two surgeries and he has recovered slower than expected. Compensating for the lack of strength in his left leg, he developed tendinitis in his right knee in 2004. Scar tissue also accumulated in his left foot, which affected his balance and led to more surgery at season's end. Nevertheless, Whitney is the best third-base prospect in the system. He has a solid righthanded stroke that produces power to all fields. Balls jump off his bat and have a lot of carry. He also has arm strength at third base, though his speed and agility are below average. Whitney obviously needs to prove he's completely healthy, and he'll have to improve his quickness and mobility. The Indians like his work ethic and think he'll be able to do so this year in high Class A.
A supplemental first-round pick in 2002, Whitney was so impressive in his pro debut that the Indians invoked Manny Ramirez' name when discussing his offensive potential. But last February, Whitney broke his left leg in a freak accident playing basketball while in minor league camp. He required two separate surgeries and missed the entire season. Whitney has middle-of-the-lineup talent. He has a sweet swing that generates power to all fields. The ball jumps off his bat and has tremendous carry. He quickly made adjustments to pro pitching and wood bats. He's athletic for his size and has made a nice transition to third base after playing mostly first base and the outfield in high school. First and foremost, Whitney needs to get 100 percent healthy. His arm is solid for the hot corner, though he tended to push his throws in 2002. He's a below-average runner but not a baseclogger. Whitney's rehab program continued through the offseason, and the Indians hope he'll be ready to resume full activity by the start of spring training. He may start the year in extended spring training with a target of getting to low Class A in May.
One of the most highly regarded high school hitters in the 2002 draft, Whitney somehow lasted until the supplemental first round. He's one of the more exciting position players to enter the organization in years. He reached double figures in home runs at Burlington, showing power to all fields. He showed some susceptibility to breaking balls early, but his temperament and even-keel approach allowed him to adjust. He recognizes what pitchers are trying to do against him. Though he's big, he's athletic enough that he doesn't clog the bases and has good range at third base. Whitney tends to push the ball on his throws, but that can be fixed with a minor adjustment. He fits the profile for a corner infielder and has no glaring weaknesses. He'll begin his first full season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Whitney's power was compared to that of Manny Ramirez when he was at Rookie-level Burlington in 2002, the year the Indians made him a supplemental first-round pick. He broke his leg while playing basketball during spring training in 2003, which led to multiple surgeries and lost seasons. He finally worked his way back into prospect status with a huge 2007, when he hit .299/.364/.545 with 32 homers and 113 RBIs between two Class A levels. Moving from third base to first base allowed Whitney to blossom offensively. He also shortened his stroke and used the opposite field more than he ever had. One scout likened him to Richie Sexson, who came up through the Cleveland system. Whitney's defense is still a work in progress, as he led all minor league first baseman with 21 errors. The Indians must put him on their 40-man roster or risk losing him in the major league Rule 5 draft in December.
Whitney originally was projected to go in the middle of 2002's first round, then lasted until 33rd overall. If he was disappointed he didn't show it, as he attracted rave reviews for his glovework at the hot corner as well as his potential at the plate. Whitney displayed quick wrists, a level swing and power to all fields. He also impressed opposing managers with his great instincts. Whitney showed more range than any third baseman in the league, and his arm is already average by big league standards. "He was one of the best, if not the best, players in this league," Pulaski manager Pedro Lopez said. "He started the season pulling everything, but he made great adjustments his first time through the league and got better and better."