Houston Astros Draft and minor leagues The
Houston Astros selected Whitley in the first round, with the 17th overall selection, in the
2016 Major League Baseball draft. He had committed to
Florida State University to play
college baseball, but instead decided to sign with the Astros. He was assigned on July 13, 2016, to the
Gulf Coast Astros of the
Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and was later promoted to the
Greeneville Astros of the Rookie-level
Appalachian League. In innings pitched between both teams, he posted a 1-2 record and a 4.82
earned run average (ERA). Whitley began the 2017 season with the
Quad Cities River Bandits of the
Single-A Midwest League and received promotions to the
Buies Creek Astros of the
High-A Carolina League in July, and to the
Corpus Christi Hooks of the
Double-A Texas League in August. In 23 total games (18 starts) between the three teams, he pitched to a combined 5–4 record and 2.83 ERA with 143 strikeouts in innings pitched. On February 21, 2018, Whitley was suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug prevention and treatment program. He recorded a 3.76 ERA in 8 starts for Corpus Christi that season. The Astros invited Whitley to
spring training in 2019, and he began the season with the
Round Rock Express of the
Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He was selected to play in the
Arizona Fall League for the
Peoria Javelinas following the season. The Astros added Whitley to their 40-man roster after the
2020 season. On March 10, 2021, it was announced that Whitley would undergo
ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, more commonly known as Tommy John surgery, and miss the 2021 season as a result. Whitley began a rehabilitation assignment on June 16,
2022 with the
Florida Complex League (FCL) Astros. He delivered 38 pitches across two innings, allowed three runs and averaged on his
fastball versus the
FCL Nationals. It was his first competition in professional baseball since September 2, 2019. He ended the season appearing in a total of 13 games split between the FCL Astros, Single-A
Fayetteville Woodpeckers, and Triple-A
Sugar Land Space Cowboys, posting a cumulative 0-2 record and 6.53 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 40.0 innings pitched. The Astros
optioned Whitley to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the
2023 season. In 8 appearances (6 starts), he registered a 1–2 record and 5.70 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 30.0 innings pitched. On June 2, Whitley was ruled out for 3–4 months after being diagnosed with a
lat strain. After spending much of spring training battling finger inflammation, the Astros again optioned Whitley to Sugar Land to begin the 2024 season.
Major leagues On April 16,
2024, the Astros promoted Whitley to the major leagues for the first time. He played in three games and pitched innings without allowing a run, with five strikeouts and three walks before getting demoted on September 5. Whitley began the
2025 season on the injured list due to a
bone bruise. He was activated him from the injured list on April 19. Out of options, Whitley had to stay in the major leagues with the Astros. A left knee sprain resulted in another IL stint. He pitched innings and surrendered six walks and two home runs for a 12.27 ERA. On June 8, 2025, Whitley was
designated for assignment to make room for
Brandon Walter on the active roster.
Tampa Bay Rays On June 13, 2025, Whitley was traded to the
Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. In five appearances for the Rays, he struggled to a 15.43 ERA with four strikeouts over innings pitched. Whitley was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on June 28. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A
Durham Bulls on July 3. On November 6, the Rays added Whitley back to their roster to prevent him from reaching minor league free agency. He was released by the Rays on November 18, in order to pursue an opportunity in Japan.
Yomiuri Giants On November 19, 2025, Whitley signed with the
Yomiuri Giants of
Nippon Professional Baseball. ==See also==