Astros: 3 players who won’t be on Houston’s roster past the trade deadline

3. Forrest Whitley will not be on the Astros roster after the trade deadline.

As was mentioned earlier, if the Houston Astros want to improve their roster with major league talent, they’ll likely have to sacrifice some prospects from their farm system. One of those players could be former first-round draft choice Forrest Whitley.

Whitley looked like a surefire top-of-the-rotation starter shortly after being taken with the 17th-overall pick by Houston back in 2016. But a 50-game suspension was handed down to Whitely in 2018 for violating the leagues drug policy. He’s also dealt with injuries and missed the entire 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last but not least, Forrest Whitley is working his way from Tommy John surgery after missing the entire 2021 season. The right-hander has appeared in just three games so far this season in Houston’s minor leagues. As he works his way, it’s doubtful that Whitley will even see a major league field until next season.

This is the ultimate high-risk/ high-reward type of trade scenario for a rebuilding team. Perhaps a club like the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, or Oakland A’s would have a player who the ‘Stros would like to have on their roster, and in order to get him, they’ll sacrifice their former top pitching prospect.