Playing in the northeast, prep outfielder Garrett Whitley didn’t always get the attention he deserved. An extremely skilled player, Whitley finally broke onto professional scouts’ radar last summer after he participated in two top showcase events following his monster junior, high school season.
Now with the Major League Baseball Draft less than a week away, it appears Whitley will be a first round pick.
Leading up to the draft, he has or will be attending a total of three private workouts with teams, where he will demonstrate his skills in all areas of the game.
“My parents and I narrowed it down to a few that we could recently do,” Whitely said regarding the draft workouts. “I am going to Milwaukee this week, and I’ve worked out for the Braves and Yankees.”
There have also been rumblings that the Arizona Diamondbacks have considered Whitley for the No. 1 overall pick in order for them to save some money to spend later on in the draft.
While it doesn’t appear likely that Whitley will go No. 1 overall in the draft, he is a highly regarded draft prospect with a high-ceiling.
Whitley is an extremely athletic individual who possesses great speed and raw power from the right side of the plate. He also plays solid defense in centerfield.
He describes himself as a well-rounded player, and knows if he can continue to improve on the little things, that he has the potential to be even better.
A New York native, Whitley will be attending the draft at the MLB Network studios in New Jersey on Monday evening to hear his name called live by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Whitely said he is excited for the draft and he’s anxious for that day since this is something he has dreamed about his entire life.
However, Whitley isn’t leaning one way or another on whether or not he will make the jump from high school straight into pro ball or attend Wake Forest in the fall. But, he said regardless of his decision that he is in a win-win situation.
“Pro baseball is my dream, but I still have an outstanding opportunity at Wake (Forest),” Whitley said. “The situation needs to be right. But, either way I am going to be happy with my decision.”
Check out my feature article I did regarding Whitley earlier in the year regarding his skills and the MLB Draft here.
