CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Houston Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley was dominant in his AA debut Thursday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 19-year-old from Alamo Heights High School pitched six scoreless innings for Corpus Christi, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out a season-high 11. The Drillers were overmatched by the Astros’ 2016 first-round draft pick.
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Whitley threw 61 of his 92 pitches for strikes and left the game with a 1-0 lead, but took a no-decision as Tulsa scored two unearned runs in the eighth inning and won 2-1.
KSAT 12 Sports asked Whitley's former high school baseball coach, Jason Thompson, about Whitley’s first Class AA start and Thompson said, “He was phenomenal.”
Whitley started the season in low Class A before moving up to Advanced Class A in early July. Last week, he was promoted to Corpus Christi, as he continues to move rapidly through Houston’s farm system.
“It doesn't surprise me that he is having success. Everyone focuses on his 'stuff,' which is unreal. But what separates him is his mental ability," Thompson said. "That, in my opinion, is what has allowed him to continue growing as a person and a player through this whole process and why he will absolutely be a success in the Big Leagues when he gets there.”
Corpus Christi will visit the San Antonio Missions Aug. 26-28. No word yet if Whitley will pitch in that series. Here’s hoping that he does.
