https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3297543 Seems that this is the end of the road for Forrest Whitley and the Astros, though he can still choose to come back from what I remember. Sad to see he never reached his potential, but that is the risk with drafting HS pitchers; after so much hype around him for years the Astros finally said “next up”.
I think Whitley is going to figure it out eventually with another team. This would be a classic type of pickup by the Rangers or Athletics.
Hard to blame the front office. Until you get to spend regular time with them, it's very hard to tell the difference between teenage idiot and permanent idiot. The Astros correctly identified an elite talent. If GM's had a redraft of the 2016 draft in 18 or 19 he likely would have gone 1st overall. Ultimately he f**ked himself over more than anything. The real failure of Luhnow in regards to Whitley was not trading him when his value was high. As the years went on and his value had cratered, it made sense to hold in hopes that he would figure it out instead of selling for pennies.
If an elite pitching development team like we have couldn't get him on track why would one think somebody else will?
Sometimes a change of scenery may help psychologically. He had huge expectations in Houston, anywhere else he's just a project.
There’s an alternate world where Whitley and Frances Martes are currently at the top of our rotation. A very alternate world.
“Houston now has seven days to either trade Whitley or pass him through outright waivers. Because Whitley has fewer than three years of major-league service time, he would not be able to elect free agency if he clears waivers. If Whitley does clear waivers, Houston would then outright him off the 40-man roster and to Triple-A Sugar Land.”
He simply has too much talent to not get claimed. All MLB front offices are filled with Ego. Several will need to find out for themselves. But, because of this Brown should be able to get a lottery ticket from a team like Cleveland or Tampa Bay that develop pitching but won't be in a position to claim him before Colorado or the White Sox, etc.
Damn, that's a shame. I've been rooting for this guy since he was drafted. Good luck to him in whatever he does.
Negotiations for acquiring Cole went on for a long time because Pittsburgh was demanding Whitley in the deal and to Luhnow he was untouchable Eventually they settled for Musgrove...ooops Luhnow is the GOAT though
