Former Houston Astros prospect selected for draft spot

Houston Astros fans have been eagerly awaiting one of their former top prospects to finally become a contributor for them at the major league level.

After being selected 17th overall in 2016, Forrest Whitley was immediately considered a top-five prospect and was ranked No. 1 from 2018 to 2021.

Unfortunately for both sides, the right-hander was unable to live up to the hype.

Until just one game this season, the 26-year-old had yet to play a major league game. Most of those injuries were due to self-inflicted issues, such as a 50-game suspension for violating the substance abuse prevention and treatment program, while the rest were due to injuries he sustained.

That was the case again for Whitley this season.

After transitioning to a reliever role to give himself a better chance of being recalled, he missed training camp with a finger injury. Then, in April, he suffered an elbow strain that sent him back to the injured list.

Now, the longtime prospect is back on the field and playing at a level where the Astros might give him another chance to finally become the impact arm they thought he would be back in 2016.

In his five Triple-A starts since returning from injury, he has allowed just one earned run on four hits in six innings pitched, while striking out seven and walking three.

But the challenge for Whitley will be to get into the game.

Houston’s bullpen ranks 11th in MLB with a 3.60 ERA after putting together a stellar June that saw Ryan Pressly return to his former form, Josh Hader look dominant again and others start producing more consistently.

Whitley may have missed his chance when things started to get choppy at the back early in the season.

Injuries to the starting pitching staff have also prompted the Astros to focus more on that area now that the bullpen appears to have stabilized.

However, contending teams always need arms, and with Houston making a run at the playoffs, the former top prospect could find himself as someone this organization calls on if he continues to play well.