of garrett whitley minor league deal; non-roster invitee

[djoctagone]

the brewers have signed of garrett whitley to a minor league deal and have invited him to 2022 spring training.

 

he has never appeared on a 40-man roster, and thus, has three minor league options.

 

there are 12 non-roster invitees in spring camp.

[CheezWizHed]

Low contact hitter with decent walk rate. Former #13 overall pick in 2015.

[brewcrewdue80]

Wow. Just wow. In 2015 I wanted Whitley or Allard with our pick and both went just before we picked. This could honestly turn out with change of scenery or direction. Definitely believed he was a shoe-in 30HR bat. Walks above 10pct but KS close to 33pct? Sorta kinda Grisham stuff right? prior to it clicking. Really amazed we get him on a minors contract. Doesn't need much improvement to change that batting line. Little more contact and HR production career .750OPS in minors turns to 800 plus quick.

 

So this is MLBs prospect writeup in 2019 on Whitley while being #27/30 on their prospect list. The wishful late bloom thinking is warranted.

 

27

Garrett

Whitley

OF, Durham Bulls, AAA

Tampa Bay Rays

Bio

Stats

AGE

24

BATS

R

DOB

03/13/1997

THROWS

R

HT

6' 1"

DRAFTED

2015, 1st (13) - TB

WT

195

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

 

The Rays drafted Whitley with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2015, making him the first player to ever be drafted out of Niskayuna (N.Y.) High. The rawness associated with such a distinction was obvious during his first two seasons, when Whitley appeared behind the talent curve at two lower levels before finishing 2016 on a high note. That success carried over into Whitley's full-season debut, when he made significant gains in all facets of the game as a member of Class A Bowling Green. He appeared poised for a breakout campaign in 2018, but instead suffered a torn right labrum during Spring Training which required surgery, effectively ending Whitley's season before it began.

 

Whitley's speed is his best tool, grading as a legitimate plus. He let his tools play in the Midwest League in 2017 and saw his bat and power blossom as a result en route to a career-high 13 home runs. What's more, Whitley was able to start tapping into his power without detracting from his patient approach and feel to hit. Whitley's on-base skills fuel his ability to impact games with his speed, and he had swiped 21 bags in back-to-back years before losing all of 2018 to injury.

 

Defensively, Whitley's athleticism and wheels give him a chance to remain in center field. He showed above-average arm strength before getting hurt, but it's yet to be seen just how much the injury has impacted his throwing ability, as he only resumed throwing in August. The Rays love his makeup and believe he has both the maturity and mental tools to be successful, though even they admit that he's now behind the development curve.

[Eye Black]

I remember hoping Whitley might fall to the Brewers in the 2015 MLB Draft and being disappointed when he was taken a couple of picks earlier. There was intrigue surrounding him because he was a high school hitter from the Northeast (New York). Well I guess I was wrong then, but maybe he can unlock some of his potential with his new organization.

[Outlander]

After seeing Tyrone Taylor struggle so much and finally break out a couple of years ago it give me hope for a guy like Garrett Whitley. Was having a real nice season at AA before being promoted to AAA and struggled quite a bit, hopefully he can adjust and make progress the 2022 season. Certainly not out of the realm of possibility he could take Corey Ray's 40 man spot if he does so.

[clancyphile]

After seeing Tyrone Taylor struggle so much and finally break out a couple of years ago it give me hope for a guy like Garrett Whitley. Was having a real nice season at AA before being promoted to AAA and struggled quite a bit, hopefully he can adjust and make progress the 2022 season. Certainly not out of the realm of possibility he could take Corey Ray's 40 man spot if he does so.

 

That is to be hoped for. Ray, too, could have a Taylor-like breakout, given that he was also pretty athletic.

 

Some lottery tickets have been picked up... and it could be a very good thing for the Brewers.

[NievesNoNO]

The walk rate is encouraging. It's always fun to dream a bit on a toolsy player with youth on his side yet.

[Austin Tatious]

I like taking a flier on Whitley. Well regarded out of high school but those northeast high school kids just don't play at as high of a level as guys in the south.

 

In any event, it's a longshot but there has been upside with him, and maybe the light bulb can come on.

[JohnBriggs12]

After seeing Tyrone Taylor struggle so much and finally break out a couple of years ago it give me hope for a guy like Garrett Whitley. Was having a real nice season at AA before being promoted to AAA and struggled quite a bit, hopefully he can adjust and make progress the 2022 season. Certainly not out of the realm of possibility he could take Corey Ray's 40 man spot if he does so.

 

Taylor actually moved up fairly quickly. He had a solid year as a 20 year old at High A, and followed that up at age 21 at AA by hitting a respectable .260. He regressed the following year and then injuries took a toll, but by the end of 2018 he broke out at Colorado Springs, adding power to his game. He was still just 24. He needed time to add strength and develop power, but he was never a big swing and miss guy.

 

Whitley fanned 122 times in 358 AB's at low A when he was 20 and 163 times at high A two years later, and has never hit more than 13 HR in a season. I'm having a hard time finding an upside here. Yeah his HR rate took a big jump in 200 AA AB's last year, but he didn't much at all after being promoted to AAA.

[djoctagone]

garrett whitley has been reassigned to minor league camp.