- Full name Brian Whitaker
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Padres named Gabe Ribas their minor league pitcher of the year in 2003 after he tied for the minor league lead with 17 victories, but with the exception of his changeup his stuff is very fringy. Whitaker, who like Ribas excelled in low Class A while being old for the level at 23, has a better chance to succeed. A 27th-round find by area scout Mike Rikard in 2002, Whitaker topped the system with a 2.09 ERA last year. He also paced the Midwest League in walks per nine innings (1.1), and the managers there rated his command as the best in the league. He never walked more than two batters in any of his 26 starts. With his 6-foot-4 frame, Whitaker is able to pitch to the bottom of the strike zone with a lively 86-89 mph sinker that touches the low 90s. That makes him a groundball machine, and his 2.2 ground/fly ratio in 2003 was one of the highest in the minors. He has traded in his curveball for a more effective slider and also uses a changeup. Whitaker has a great body, loose arm and easy delivery. He still needs to prove himself against lefthanders and against hitters his own age. San Diego will accelerate his development, meaning Whitaker should reach Double-A at some point in 2004.