School: Ken State University; Class: Junior
Position: LHP; B/T: L/L
Height: 6-4; Weight: 200
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Hudson High School
| FB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 50 | 55 | 55 | 45 | 45 |
Background: Kent State University will forever be an under-the-radar hotbed for baseball talent, particularly for a cold weather, non-power conference school. Throughout the years the Golden Flashes have churned out such notables, like: Thurman Munson (who should be in the Hall of Fame, but that’s a discussion for another day), Eric Lauer, Dustin Hermanson, the third overall pick in 1994, Andrew Chafin, Steve Stone, Travis Shaw, and Matt Guerrier, among others.
The MAC-based school is ready to burp out another potential big leaguer: southpaw Joe Whitman, whose development in 2023 may make believers out of non-believers.
A product of Hudson High School, home to Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer Dante Lavelli, Whitman spent his first two collegiate years – which were mostly disastrous – working out of Purdue’s bullpen. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound southpaw appeared in six games during his freshman season in 2021, throwing just 2.0 innings while allowing three walks and three earned runs. The following season was basically the same thing: 3.2 innings, five earned runs, three walks, two homers surrendered, and a 12.27 ERA.
Whitman spent part of that summer with the Cotuit Kettleers, making a pair of a brief starts. The lefty would make the leap to Kent State. And the Flashes coaching staff was able to unlock some potential first round magic. Making 15 starts in 2023, Whitman posted an impressive 100-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 2.56 ERA in 81.0 innings of work.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only three MAC hurlers posted at least a 10.5 K/9 with a walk rate between 3.0 and 3.4 BB/9 in a season (min. 75 IP): Drey Jameson, a 2019 first round pick by the Diamondbacks, John Baker (twice), and – of course – Joe Whitman.
Quality arsenal: average low 90s fastball and an above-average slider and changeup. The feel for the strike zone is decent, but he’s not the type that’s going to consistently live on the corners. His heater does well above the belt, but he may end up having to live-and-die with offspeed stuff as he progresses up the minor league ladder. There’s the ceiling as a #4 / #5 arm.
Ceiling: 1.0- to 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: Second / Third Round
