Rays take prep outfielder Garrett Whitley with 13th pick in draft
The Tampa Bay Rays selected outfielder Garrett Whitley with the No. 13 pick in the MLB draft on Monday night.
Baseball Prospectus rated the product of Niskayuna (New York) High School as the draft's seventh-best prospect. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, the right-handed batter is known for his athleticism and promising swing speed.
Whitley, a Wake Forest commit, is projected to produce above-average right-handed power. Scouts consider his bat speed to be his best trait.
Still, Whitley offers versatility. In addition, his notable foot speed gives him a high ceiling as a possible center fielder.
"I think I'm ready to move into my pro career," Whitley told reporters.
"My strongest attributes are my speed and power. That power speed combination isn't something that you see very often, and I think that makes me a special player."
At 18 years old, Whitley becomes the sixth high-school outfielder taken by the Rays with their first pick. Others include Paul Wilder (1996), Josh Hamilton (1999), Rocco Baldelli (2000), Delmon Young (2003) and Josh Sale (2010). As a senior, Whitley hit .351 with a .479 on-base percentage, three home runs, 13 RBI and 24 runs scored. Whitley also went 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts in 20 games played.
"He is as advertised, a very athletic outfielder," Matt Silverman, the Rays' president of baseball operations, told reporters. "Good tools, good upside. The kind of raw materials that you love to be able to take and put into your system and watch him grow and develop over the next several years."
Rays first-round selections, all-time
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