If I were creating a top-10 list of disappointing prospects for the 2019 season, Forrest Whitley would be at or near the top. Arguably the top pitching prospect in all of baseball coming into the season, it has been another inconsistent year for the 17th overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Due to an early-season suspension and a few nagging injuries, Whitley pitched just 52 innings in 2018 between Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Despite the inexperience, the Houston Astros sent him to Triple-A Round Rock to start the 2019 season. After spring training, it looked like his tremendous stuff and poise would be ready for the assignment. He was not.
Whitley made eight starts for the Express from April to May. He allowed 33 runs on 35 hits including nine(!) home runs in just 24 1/3 innings. He did strike out 29, but also walked 15. It was easily the worst stretch of his career as a professional. I would venture to say it was probably the worst string of games in his life.
