Karsten Whitson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Karsten E. Whitson
Born 08/25/1991 in Bartow, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Florida
Drafted in the 11th round (344th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2014.

View Draft Report

Whitson has had one of the most-watched amateur careers in recent memory. The ninth overall pick in 2010, he turned down $2.1 million from the Padres to attend Florida. He had a dominant freshman year, striking out nearly a hitter an inning while helping the Gators reach the College World Series. He had an uneven sophomore campaign while battling arm soreness and didn't throw a pitch as a junior last year after having shoulder surgery. The Nationals took a flier on him in the 37th round last year but did not sign him. Whitson began his senior season in the rotation before being pushed to the bullpen. His velocity was in the mid-80s to begin the spring before sitting 90-92 mph and touching 94 for most of the season. He finished the regular season on a high note, sitting 93-95 mph and touching 96 in a six-inning outing in the Southeastern Conference tournament. His slider, which was plus earlier in his career, plays closer to average and his changeup shows average potential. His control has been below-average, and he doesn't have the easiest or most conventional delivery. Whitson, who is 22, has thrown just 64 innings the last three seasons and still has one year of eligibility remaining, so he will be a wild card in this year's draft.

Top Rankings

Whitson has had one of the most-watched amateur careers in recent memory. The ninth overall pick in 2010, he turned down $2.1 million from the Padres to attend Florida. He had a dominant freshman year, striking out nearly a hitter an inning while helping the Gators reach the College World Series. He had an uneven sophomore campaign while battling arm soreness and didn't throw a pitch as a junior last year after having shoulder surgery. The Nationals took a flier on him in the 37th round last year but did not sign him. Whitson began his senior season in the rotation before being pushed to the bullpen. His velocity was in the mid-80s to begin the spring before sitting 90-92 mph and touching 94 for most of the season. He finished the regular season on a high note, sitting 93-95 mph and touching 96 in a six-inning outing in the Southeastern Conference tournament. His slider, which was plus earlier in his career, plays closer to average and his changeup shows average potential. His control has been below-average, and he doesn't have the easiest or most conventional delivery. Whitson, who is 22, has thrown just 64 innings the last three seasons and still has one year of eligibility remaining, so he will be a wild card in this year's draft.