Yankees Player Profile: Chase Whitley

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Whitley is making his Major League debut today against the New York Mets at Citi Field. You don’t know anything about him? That’s alright, read on!

Whitley is an Alabama boy, going to both high school and college in the state. He’s been in the Yankees organization since 2010 when he was drafted in the 15^th round. He’s been in AAA Scranton Wilkes Barre since 2012, and has done quite well. In 2012 he made 41 appearances for the RailRiders and pulled in a 3.25 ERA. He had 29 appearances in 2013 with 5 starts, as he began his transformation. This season, Whitley had a 2.29 ERA in 6 starts with the team. His strikeouts per 9 innings have increased all three years with the team, and were up to 10.9 this season. Additionally, his walks and home runs per 9 innings have dropped. His game is getting better in all areas.

Whitley has four pitches, a fastball, slider, sinker, and a changeup. The fastball and sinker are in the low 90s, while his slider and change hover in the mid 80’s. As I mentioned, his walk rate is decreasing, as are his home runs (not that they were high in the first place). He actually hasn’t given up a home run yet this season.

If he succeeds, there is no reason that Whitley can’t stay in pinstripes for a little while. Ivan Nova is out for the year, Michael Pineda is out for at least another month, and CC Sabathia is out for at least another week. Vidal Nuno and Alfredo Aceves have stepped in, but neither one has put a strangle hold on their spots yet. It’s time for the East Alabama native to throw his hat into the mix.