This Astros Player Would Be Affected Most by Canceled 2020 MLB Season

With the MLB season very much at risk, every player would be affected by a cancellation. However, it would especially impact this Astros youngster.

Forrest Whitley is the club's consensus No. 1 prospect. In 2020, he was expected to start in the minors and possibly get called up later in the year. That plan is out the window now, with minor league baseball almost certainly being cancelled in 2020.

It's likely that Whitley won't pitch at all in 2020, which could be detrimental for him moving forward. It's unusual for a pitcher to go an entire year without throwing in a meaningful game, so it could have a negative influence on his progression.

Whitley was likely to get an opportunity with the Astros in 2020. It's extremely unfortunate for the pitcher as he now may need to wait an entire year longer for his MLB debut.

Whitley has the raw materials to become an ace in the MLB. At 6-7, his frame is excellent. In his first year playing professionally, Whitley was outstanding in the Astros system, posting a 2.83 ERA and making it all the way up to double A at only 19.

However, Whitley struggled in 2018 and 2019. He was only able to make eight starts in 2018 due to suspension and injury. In 2019, Whitley simply didn't have it, posting a 12.21 ERA in eight appearances before being sent down. He bounced back in the Arizona Fall League and had a few solid appearances in Spring Training.

Whether there is baseball or not this summer, the Astros will need to see progress in Whitley's game before calling him up to the bigs. Without a minor league season -- and perhaps even an MLB campaign -- that becomes all the more unlikely.