Astros Can No Longer Count on Forrest Whitley in Offseason Pitching Plans

Another year, another up-and-down campaign for Houston Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley.

While the 6-foot-7 Whitley can regularly touch triple digits, he's well behind where the Astros believed he would be when the 2019 season started, and that poor performance has earned him another assignment to the Arizona Fall League.

For the second straight year, Forrest Whitley entered the season as one of #MLB's top pitching prospects, poised to help the #Astros in the postseason, only to end up in the Fall League instead. But he's determined to make the best of his assignment: https://t.co/CEJGr9bTer pic.twitter.com/qmtojpAWqz
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 25, 2019

With Gerrit Cole slated to hit free agency, Houston would be foolish to bank on Whitley being able to slide in and replace him if he leaves town.

Whitley went 3-7 with an unsightly 7.99 ERA this year, including a 12.21 ERA in eight Triple-A games (five starts) with the Round Rock Express. The biggest struggle for Whitley has been his control, as he walked 44 batters in 60 innings. A 100 MPH heater is no good if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with it.

While he's off to a good start in the Arizona Fall League, it's doubtful that short stint will do much to quell the concerns Houston has about him.

9/21 Top Prospects

MLB:
Kyle Tucker HOU 2-4, 2 2B
Trent Grisham MIL 3-4, HR, BB, SB
Shed Long SEA 3-4, 2B, HR, BB
Sheldon Neuse OAK 3-4, 2B

AFL:
Forrest Whitley HOU 4.2/0/6/1/2
Gerardo Perdomo ARI 2 SB
David Peterson NYM 3/0/4/1/1
Mason McCoy BAL 4-5
Glen Otto NYY 3/0/4/1/1
— Jesse Roche (@jaroche6) September 22, 2019

Whitley will likely see the majors next year, but it's unlikely the Astros will be able to rely on him in the starting rotation.