Forrest Whitley has seen his share of ups and downs over the years.
The Houston Astros added him to the 40-man roster in November 2020, but the former top prospect has yet to reach the show. Injuries, a suspension and a lost season in 2020 knocked Whitley off course from contributing to the big league club.
At one point in 2023, Whitley was healthy and pitching for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, but another injury popped up. This time a lat strain that caused him to miss the remainder of the season. This spring, he was scheduled to pitch but dealt with finger inflammation.
Fortunately, the finger didn’t mess with his arm at all.
“Arm feels great, the finger thing was super random and is completely gone now,” Whitley said.
Now healthy and back in Sugar Land, Whitley is adjusting to a new role, pitching exclusively out of the bullpen for the first time in his career.
“The plan is to pitch out of the ‘pen for now, however I’d like to earn my way back into a starting role,” Whitley said. “Just got to string the health together to get it done.”
Whitley has always had the stuff to be a big leaguer, and his stuff might play up even more in the bullpen, a spot where he recently touched 99 mph in an outing for Sugar Land.
“I think my stuff plays great, the velo is there and the breaking stuff is there, too,” Whitley said. “I’ve also developed a splitter that I think is pretty solid. Just got to keep everything in the strike zone and I’ll have success.”
Working off the slurve, the newly added splitter also gives Whitley another weapon on the mound as he continues to find what pitches work best. The splitter is also replacing the changeup.
“(Splitter) definitely adds a weapon to lefties,” Whitley said. “(I) had a hard time replicating the changeup I had before Tommy John.”
Despite the setbacks, no one can ever say that Whitley lacked perseverance. He has had many obstacles thrown his way, but he keeps finding a way to get out there on the mound to compete.
“While the injuries have been frustrating, I think it’s offered me an opportunity to really understand my body and what’s makes it fire properly,” Whitley said. “That’s why despite the injuries, my velo and stuff continues to progress.”
Last offseason could be a turning point. Whitley came into camp ready, and as seen in his couple of outings so far this year, the raw stuff is there.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with some of the best in the business to get me back up on my feet,” Whitley said. “I owe Tim Naiman, the guy I trained with this last offseason, a lot of credit to where I’m at now. We dove into every little detail, and I think it’s paying off.”
It is early in the season, but the Astros are already in need of pitching. If Whitley can string together some strong and healthy outings, and with him already being on the 40-man roster, he should be able to get a chance to pitch in Houston soon.
Be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, follow me on Instagram, @AstrosFuture and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
