Astros Top Prospect Forrest Whitley Suspended 50 Games

HOUSTON, TX — Forrest Whitley, one of the top pitching prospects in the minor leagues, had a shot at making the Houston Astros this spring. At the least, the 6-foot-7 right hander from San Antonio had a shot at an early-season call up.

However, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday morning that Whitley, 20, has been suspended 50 games for a violation of minor league baseball's drug program. His suspension comes without pay.

Whitley was the Astros' first-round pick in 2016 and 17th overall draft pick. He went to Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, and quickly shot from low-A ball to Double-A in the 2017 season. He was a combined 5-4 with a 2.83 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 92⅓ innings with three minor league teams last season, including four appearances for Double-A Corpus Christi in which he posted a 1.84 ERA.

ESPN's Keith law said Whitley is ranked No. 8 among the top 100 prospects this spring.

Here are Whitley's stats through his first year and a half in the Astros' farm system.

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