Before we get into Mr. Whitenton's profile, let me start by commenting on an unrelated item. Look at that picture. Someone should have told Taylor he was going to Savannah and not to jail. Smile kid, you've got a bright future. No one will hold it against you. Now on to the baseball side.
Anthony Taylor Whitenton became perhaps the first ever Georgia born player to turn down the Braves when drafted by them in 2007 as a SS out of Heritage High School in Conyers, GA. Instead, Taylor opted to head to Darton College, out of which he was drafed by the Mets in the 39th round of the 2009 amateur draft. A late sign, Whitenton spent a brief stint with the Gulf Coast Mets at the end of last season before starting this season with Savannah.
Taylor's been nothing short of a spectacular surprise for the Gnats so far this season. A big, 6'3" 190 pound right hander, Whitenton is mainly a fastball/changeup pitcher who also reportedly throws the occasional slider. Scouting reports are hard to find on Mr. Whitenton as he was a shortstop through most of his high school and collegiate career.
In 48.1 innings with Savannah this season (five starts, seven relief appearances) Taylor is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA while only giving up 35 hits and striking out 52. Taylor does walk quite a few, 29 so far, but that's sort of understandable from a guy who hasn't been pitching his whole career. Perhaps what's most impressive is that he's only given up 2 homers. Stretch that pace out over 200 innings and you get less than nine homers. That's what I call keeping the ball in the park.
If you keep that up, Taylor, the only thing you're gonna need to learn is how to smile when you're cashing those checks.
Profile - Taylor Whitenton, RHP, Savannah Sand Gnats
