I’ve decided to add overviews for Karsten Whitson and Manny Machado to my 2010 MLB Draft Preview Series. They’ve emerged as possible options for the Orioles so it’s important to put together all their information. This is Part 10 in my series previewing the 2010 MLB draft – The full series:
1. Series Introduction
2. Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada
3. Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX)
4. Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Ole Miss
5. Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech
6. Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast
7. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU
8. Q & A with Andy Seiler of MLB Bonus Baby
9. Examining the Orioles’ Options by Pat Hickey
10. Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (FL)
11. Manny Machado, SS, Brito Private HS (FL)
Today I’ll take a look at Karsten Whitson.
Here are some scouting reports on Whitson from around the web:
John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a summary of Whitson:
“Committed to the University of Florida, Whitson has ideal size and some remaining projectability at 6-4, 190 pounds. He has a 90-94 MPH fastball, hitting 95 at times, and an advanced slider for a high school kid. He is polished for his age, throws strikes, and has a good balance of current skill, remaining projection, safety, and risk as high school pitchers go. He is likely go to somewhere in the Top Ten, and certainly won’t make it past 15 unless his bonus demands are outrageous.”
Video (also from PnR Scouting):
While you many not think the Orioles will draft Whitson, did you think they would draft Matt Hobgood last season? If Taillon and Whitson are both available at #3, the Orioles could, once again, go with a pick that will be easier to sign (Whitson), and allowed themselves to get some over-slot guys in the later rounds.
Taking money, signability and the usual factors into consideration, if you were the Orioles, who would you pick between the two? Jameson Taillon or Karsten Whitson?
