Fansided

MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Astros in 2019

By David Salituro

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 07: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros singles to right field in the seventh inning for his first major league hit against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Forrest Whitley #68 of the Houston Astros throws the ball against the New York Mets during a spring training game at The Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 25, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Forrest Whitley #68 of the Houston Astros throws the ball against the New York Mets during a spring training game at The Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 25, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

2. Forrest Whitley

In the past 20 years, only five high school pitchers drafted in the first round have reached AA within their first pro season. Two of them, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, went on to win Cy Young Awards. The latest is the Astros top pitching prospect, Forrest Whitley.

Whitley was drafted by the Astros 17th overall in 2016 out of Alamo Heights High School in Texas. Within a year he was pitching in AA Corpus Christi, striking out 26 batters in 14.2 innings. Whitley’s development was stopped short in 2018, though, after he was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He returned to make eight starts, striking out 34 in 26.1 innings with a 3.76 ERA. He also led the Arizona Fall League in strikeouts last year.

The 21-year-old right-hander started 2019 in AAA Round Rock, giving up two earned runs in five innings in his only start so far. Whitley is rated the seventh-best prospect in the league, according to MLB Pipeline, and the best pitching prospect. His fastball can reach 98 m.p.h, while he also possesses a good changeup and can throw a curveball and a slider. The Astros are fast-tracking him through their farm system, a route that will only lead to him in the rotation at the big league level later in 2019.

Home/Houston Astros