Some really good talent left on the board here. Please don't screw it up! Rutherford, Whitley, Hudson, Sedlock...
The first member of the Houston Astros draft class of 2016 is.... Round 1, Pick 17: Forrest Whitley, RHP, Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio Whitley is committed to Florida State.
Whitley: "I model my game after Jose Fernandez" Perfect Game profile Crawfish Boxes Al Leiter: Josh Johnson comparison, "already pretty good with 3 pitches, ++ velo"
High school pitchers are such a crapshoot, but this pick certainly excites me more than some college arm who has #3/4 ceiling.
He's pitching in the HS playoffs right now in Round Rock, he's got a stupid great arm and the build to be a hoss. He's a great kid, I'll be rooting for him.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Elias: "This is somebody we've watched for a few years beginning with his work with Team USA program over summer"</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/741073618113695744">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elias says Whitley fastball is 92-97 FB with command. Has ability and polish to use it. "This kid is already a pitcher."</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/741073750754369536">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elias said the Astros were following Whitley's game online right now with a live stream going.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/741073803497742336">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elias: "To get a pitcher of his size and stuff, not only FB velocity -- also overhand, CB, slider and CU with excellent command."</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/741073938118152192">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elias said Josh Johnson comp came up, along with former Astros Mike Scott. Big kid with fluid, polished delivery.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/741074269103235072">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He started getting a little wild once he heard draft news in the dugout, amped up and trying to throw the ball through the backsop. 1-1.
All I know is, big dude on MLB Network needs to move the hell out of the way. He's blocking half the screen with the prospect/pick information! And it's every time they throw to those guys. It's very frustrating. How has no producer had those guys scoot over and bunch up?!
