September 4, 2024 • 9 mins
Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley joins The Matt Thomas Show after getting called up to the Majors as a part of the September roster expansion. Whitley was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Astros farm system from 2018-21 but was unable to break out due to Tommy John surgery in 2021. When asked about quitting baseball, Whitley replied, "The thought never crossed my mind...a lot of pitchers go through injury," but "that's just a part of the game." Whitley transitioned to the bullpen this past offseason to have a better chance of contributing to the Astros, which paid off when he made his MLB debut on April 16. "The process is completely different" between preparing for a game as a starter versus a reliever. Whitley made an appearance for a single inning during Monday's 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. "I didn't feel nervous" because "I was prepared to get these outs." While the longtime prospect has endured a difficult journey to the Majors, Whitley maintains his confidence through every opportunity. "I thoroughly believe I can" pitch at this level. "I want to take it a day at a time."
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But Houston Astros.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Exclusive Astros segment on Sports Talk seven ninety It's brought
to you by Expinity Street Astros Baseball from the best
seat in the house with Exfinity because it's only live once.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
June thirty four. It is the Matt Thomas Show. Mann
and Ross here to spend a few minutes with Forrest Whitley,
who helped out the cause a couple of days ago
with some good work out of the bullpen and joins
us here as part of the September call ups. Forrest,
it's Matt Ross. Good to have you back on the
show today. Your manager told us that you had a
team dinner last night, and you heard that Jim picked
up the tabs. You guys are really go overboard. Lots
(00:40):
of appetizer's, main course, desserts, that kind of thing.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I tried to keep it, keep it at a reasonable level,
but I can't. I can't say the same for other
people at the dinner. But I won't throw anybody under
the bus.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, do me this favorite look. You've been around long enough.
Just give us one name, just Ryman. We'll figure out
who it is.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Man. It starts with a knife.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Hmm. Now you got us working on it.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, leave it up, leave that up to interpretation for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
No, no, no, you gave us all we need to do.
Thank you very much, big fellow. We're happy that you're
back with the team. Uh, it has been a long rule,
my man. We don't need to go through all that,
just need to talk about what it's like with this
opportunity you're been given. You got a month to really
kind of, uh honestly make your case for this playoff rostered.
Is that how you kind of see it right now?
Speaker 5 (01:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:34):
For sure. I mean I just want to take it
a day at a time.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Every time my name is called, just go out there
and you know, do the best of my ability, and
hopefully I can show these guys that.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
You know, I can't do this. You know, I firmly
believe I can. It's just all a matter of proven
it these next few weeks.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
How long did it ultimately take your arm and your
mind to make the adjustment from being a starter for
most of your professional career to going to the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
You know, it took me a couple of months.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
The process is completely different, man. You know, being a
starter for eight years in my career then going to
the bullpen and then coming up in April and happened
to make the debut fourth time out of the bullpen. Ever,
you know, that was that was It was a pretty
tough thing to do, and it kind of showed that
I wasn't exactly ready for that role. But you know,
a couple a couple months out of my belt kind
(02:18):
of getting the process down the pregame and.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Then in the game, you know, I felt like I
got pretty.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Comfortable and was obviously throwing the ball pretty well down
in triple A. So yeah, it definitely took some time,
but I feel like I've got a hold of things now.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Obviously not a huge sample size, just the the well,
the one recent outing to judge, how do you how
do you feel out there? What do you think as
far as things you need to improve or things and
things you like?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
You did that you did?
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You know, overall, I thought I thought it was a
pretty good outing. Obviously the single on the walk I
didn't like, but able to keep those runs from scoring,
which overall is is great. Three strikeouts is great through
too many pitches, but it is what it is. The
Thing that kind of stood out to me was how comfortable.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I was.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
I didn't feel nervous, you know, I felt ready. I
felt like I was I was prepared to get these outs.
So I think that was kind of the biggest thing
for me, was just the comfortability out there on the mountain.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Has there been any any conversations with either Joe or
whoever else about any sort of way that you'll be
used or just be ready when we call your name.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
It's kind of a be ready when you call your name.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
You know, I'm assuming, you know, we got some we
got some cabayo's in the bullpen, some really really good arms,
so I'll probably you know, obviously get off the back
end of that, you know, we got a big lead
or we're behind or anything. So I'm assuming that's that's
my role for now. But kind of like I touched
on earlier, you know, hopefully proved myself these next three
weeks and maybe getting some leverage situations if I proved
(03:48):
to Joe that I can do that.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Uh, Are you going to write a book when the
when the crew is all said and done, Because I mean,
I give you tremendous credit for battling through injuries. It's
been a long road to get to where you are today.
But were there time that you said, screw this, I've
done all I can. My arm just isn't cooperating. I've
got forearm issues. Whatever the case may be. Maybe this
just wasn't meant for me. And ultimately, how did you
(04:10):
decipher I'm not going down that road, that I'm going
to figure out a way, somehow, some way to make
my spot back on a major league roster.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, the thought never crossed my mind.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
I always knew that I had the talent and the
mindset to be able to get out to the big leagues,
whether a starter or lever or whatever. It was just
kind of an annoying thing that the help wasn't cooperating.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
But that's just a part of the game. You know.
A lot of pitchers go through injuries.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Unfortunately, mine were just back to back to back and
I had to deal with it and it was tough elementals,
But ultimately, I am happy that I went through because
it made me the player and the person that I
am today. And I think it's I think it's turned
out and has turned out pretty well so far, so
you know, we'll just keep moving forward. And I've learned
(04:56):
a lot from from those experiences, and you know, it'll
help me get good advice to young guys hopefully when
I'm in that position. And as far as a book,
I don't, I don't know. I'm not much of a writer.
I wouldn't say I'm the smartest guy in the world.
But my wife is actually a writer and she is
very talented at that. So maybe something that she could
take the lead on in the future.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Is she an Alimal Heights girl too?
Speaker 2 (05:20):
No?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
No, she's from South Carolina, right, I was gonna.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Say, Animal Heights you a You none to worry about that.
It's a great high school. It's one of the best
high schools in this entire state. I mean, you can
find some, you know, some writers in that group. Maybe
they could do a biography on you from the one
of your lums you went with school with.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, absolutely right, you're right about that. We got some
smart people coming out of Almaal Heights.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Are you sure you want your wife writing a book
about you?
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Though? I promise I'm not much of a reader, but
the stuff that I have have read that she has
written is very impressive.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
She's actually in the middle of writing a book.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
No, I mean she might say mean things about you
for us.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
No, I know, I know, but that's okay.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
Doesn't doesn't put up the dishes in the right time.
Lisa's on the floor.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Oh man, she would. She would be bicker and than
me about leaving my shoes on the stairs.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Probably.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So she she's writing a book right now. What's she
writing it? What is she writing a fiction or nonfiction?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
She is writing a fiction.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
I I don't ask many questions, to be honest with you,
I don't want to put any pressure on her with
the writing and everything, because you know, as you can imagine,
writing a book is probably a lot, especially when you
have a publisher asking for dates.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And and all of those things.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
So yeah, I try to stay out of it all,
but I I'm obviously extremely supportive of it.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Who you should be? Are you going to keep the
number sixty long term? Is that the plane? We're going
to try to get to a lower number?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
You know, I'd like I'd like something lower, But for
now it's it's fine. I think ideally, you know, get
some innings under my belt.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Uh, just be here a little bit longer. Overall, I
think i'd mike a.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Lower I think, you know what, just just you putting
the uniform on is a good thing because there's been
a lot of people that have rooted for you, and
obviously expectations were high, and like I said, there's been
a few curveballs aren't at you. But we're very happy
to have you back with us. And frankly, you're coming
in a good time for ust. These Mariners just helping
you out. You guys keep winning and you'll be able
(07:14):
to finally celebrate something here in a few weeks. But
I don't know, some work to be done, but just
getting back in the major league lifestyle that has to
be a very great part of this recovery process as well.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Oh of course, it's everything you dream of, man, you know,
especially for me who's kind of been sitting on the sidelines,
just right on the cusp of it for the last
three four years.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know, it's it's that much sweeter. So I'm just
I couldn't be happier to be here.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
And ninety seven on the gun feels good too. Are
you are you a gun watcher or are you gonna
I'll look at it later.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Oh, I keeep it at every throw.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
I need to see where I'm at, you know, like
if I throw one where I think, you know, that
was eighty percent.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I look at the board that says ninety eight. You know,
I think that's important. Or I try to muscle one up,
I look at the board and it only says ninety seven.
You know, like you don't need to try that hard,
So I think it's important.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Sometimes, like I said, you loosen up on a pitch,
maybe a slight step, you throw a crowd ball.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
You're like, oh, was that slow?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
And you look up to see eighty five You're like, oh, okay,
well that's good to know.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
So you know, it's not much of an ego thing
for me.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
It's more of just a seeing where I'm at and
where my stuff stacks up with it ors that I'm
facing that day.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
All right, promise you one thing. Wrap this up. You
guys are up ten to one in a game and
you're there in the ninth inning. Throw me one epist pitch.
Can you do that for me? Give me some of
that been a mid forties. Give me some with a
little little zap to it, you know what I mean,
just a little slow.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I wish I had the capabilities of doing that.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
It's hard for me to slow myself down, and especially
at the big league level.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
You know, now we'll see if I'm tapable of that.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I don't.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I don't like my chances though.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Now you're just bragging. Come on, I mean, now, everybody's
got ninety seven mona or gun. I can throw at
a the fist. You can do it too. Hey, good
to visit with you. We've talked to you a few
times over the years, and you sound like you're in
a great friend of mine. We're very happy that you're
back up in and continued success. Stay up there as
long as you can and help this team win this division,
and we'll talk with you soon. We really appreciate it
absolutely well.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Thank you guys for the support, and thank you guys
for having me on.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You got it. Forrest Whitley with us here on the
radio program M
But Houston Astros.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Exclusive Astros segment on Sports Talk seven ninety It's brought
to you by Expinity Street Astros Baseball from the best
seat in the house with Exfinity because it's only live once.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
June thirty four. It is the Matt Thomas Show. Mann
and Ross here to spend a few minutes with Forrest Whitley,
who helped out the cause a couple of days ago
with some good work out of the bullpen and joins
us here as part of the September call ups. Forrest,
it's Matt Ross. Good to have you back on the
show today. Your manager told us that you had a
team dinner last night, and you heard that Jim picked
up the tabs. You guys are really go overboard. Lots
(00:40):
of appetizer's, main course, desserts, that kind of thing.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I tried to keep it, keep it at a reasonable level,
but I can't. I can't say the same for other
people at the dinner. But I won't throw anybody under
the bus.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, do me this favorite look. You've been around long enough.
Just give us one name, just Ryman. We'll figure out
who it is.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Man. It starts with a knife.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Hmm. Now you got us working on it.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, leave it up, leave that up to interpretation for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
No, no, no, you gave us all we need to do.
Thank you very much, big fellow. We're happy that you're
back with the team. Uh, it has been a long rule,
my man. We don't need to go through all that,
just need to talk about what it's like with this
opportunity you're been given. You got a month to really
kind of, uh honestly make your case for this playoff rostered.
Is that how you kind of see it right now?
Speaker 5 (01:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:34):
For sure. I mean I just want to take it
a day at a time.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Every time my name is called, just go out there
and you know, do the best of my ability, and
hopefully I can show these guys that.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
You know, I can't do this. You know, I firmly
believe I can. It's just all a matter of proven
it these next few weeks.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
How long did it ultimately take your arm and your
mind to make the adjustment from being a starter for
most of your professional career to going to the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
You know, it took me a couple of months.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
The process is completely different, man. You know, being a
starter for eight years in my career then going to
the bullpen and then coming up in April and happened
to make the debut fourth time out of the bullpen. Ever,
you know, that was that was It was a pretty
tough thing to do, and it kind of showed that
I wasn't exactly ready for that role. But you know,
a couple a couple months out of my belt kind
(02:18):
of getting the process down the pregame and.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Then in the game, you know, I felt like I
got pretty.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Comfortable and was obviously throwing the ball pretty well down
in triple A. So yeah, it definitely took some time,
but I feel like I've got a hold of things now.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Obviously not a huge sample size, just the the well,
the one recent outing to judge, how do you how
do you feel out there? What do you think as
far as things you need to improve or things and
things you like?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
You did that you did?
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You know, overall, I thought I thought it was a
pretty good outing. Obviously the single on the walk I
didn't like, but able to keep those runs from scoring,
which overall is is great. Three strikeouts is great through
too many pitches, but it is what it is. The
Thing that kind of stood out to me was how comfortable.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I was.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
I didn't feel nervous, you know, I felt ready. I
felt like I was I was prepared to get these outs.
So I think that was kind of the biggest thing
for me, was just the comfortability out there on the mountain.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Has there been any any conversations with either Joe or
whoever else about any sort of way that you'll be
used or just be ready when we call your name.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
It's kind of a be ready when you call your name.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
You know, I'm assuming, you know, we got some we
got some cabayo's in the bullpen, some really really good arms,
so I'll probably you know, obviously get off the back
end of that, you know, we got a big lead
or we're behind or anything. So I'm assuming that's that's
my role for now. But kind of like I touched
on earlier, you know, hopefully proved myself these next three
weeks and maybe getting some leverage situations if I proved
(03:48):
to Joe that I can do that.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Uh, Are you going to write a book when the
when the crew is all said and done, Because I mean,
I give you tremendous credit for battling through injuries. It's
been a long road to get to where you are today.
But were there time that you said, screw this, I've
done all I can. My arm just isn't cooperating. I've
got forearm issues. Whatever the case may be. Maybe this
just wasn't meant for me. And ultimately, how did you
(04:10):
decipher I'm not going down that road, that I'm going
to figure out a way, somehow, some way to make
my spot back on a major league roster.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, the thought never crossed my mind.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
I always knew that I had the talent and the
mindset to be able to get out to the big leagues,
whether a starter or lever or whatever. It was just
kind of an annoying thing that the help wasn't cooperating.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
But that's just a part of the game. You know.
A lot of pitchers go through injuries.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Unfortunately, mine were just back to back to back and
I had to deal with it and it was tough elementals,
But ultimately, I am happy that I went through because
it made me the player and the person that I
am today. And I think it's I think it's turned
out and has turned out pretty well so far, so
you know, we'll just keep moving forward. And I've learned
(04:56):
a lot from from those experiences, and you know, it'll
help me get good advice to young guys hopefully when
I'm in that position. And as far as a book,
I don't, I don't know. I'm not much of a writer.
I wouldn't say I'm the smartest guy in the world.
But my wife is actually a writer and she is
very talented at that. So maybe something that she could
take the lead on in the future.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Is she an Alimal Heights girl too?
Speaker 2 (05:20):
No?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
No, she's from South Carolina, right, I was gonna.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Say, Animal Heights you a You none to worry about that.
It's a great high school. It's one of the best
high schools in this entire state. I mean, you can
find some, you know, some writers in that group. Maybe
they could do a biography on you from the one
of your lums you went with school with.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Yeah, absolutely right, you're right about that. We got some
smart people coming out of Almaal Heights.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Are you sure you want your wife writing a book
about you?
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Though? I promise I'm not much of a reader, but
the stuff that I have have read that she has
written is very impressive.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
She's actually in the middle of writing a book.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
No, I mean she might say mean things about you
for us.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
No, I know, I know, but that's okay.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
Doesn't doesn't put up the dishes in the right time.
Lisa's on the floor.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Oh man, she would. She would be bicker and than
me about leaving my shoes on the stairs.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Probably.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So she she's writing a book right now. What's she
writing it? What is she writing a fiction or nonfiction?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
She is writing a fiction.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
I I don't ask many questions, to be honest with you,
I don't want to put any pressure on her with
the writing and everything, because you know, as you can imagine,
writing a book is probably a lot, especially when you
have a publisher asking for dates.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And and all of those things.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
So yeah, I try to stay out of it all,
but I I'm obviously extremely supportive of it.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Who you should be? Are you going to keep the
number sixty long term? Is that the plane? We're going
to try to get to a lower number?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
You know, I'd like I'd like something lower, But for
now it's it's fine. I think ideally, you know, get
some innings under my belt.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Uh, just be here a little bit longer. Overall, I
think i'd mike a.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Lower I think, you know what, just just you putting
the uniform on is a good thing because there's been
a lot of people that have rooted for you, and
obviously expectations were high, and like I said, there's been
a few curveballs aren't at you. But we're very happy
to have you back with us. And frankly, you're coming
in a good time for ust. These Mariners just helping
you out. You guys keep winning and you'll be able
(07:14):
to finally celebrate something here in a few weeks. But
I don't know, some work to be done, but just
getting back in the major league lifestyle that has to
be a very great part of this recovery process as well.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Oh of course, it's everything you dream of, man, you know,
especially for me who's kind of been sitting on the sidelines,
just right on the cusp of it for the last
three four years.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know, it's it's that much sweeter. So I'm just
I couldn't be happier to be here.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
And ninety seven on the gun feels good too. Are
you are you a gun watcher or are you gonna
I'll look at it later.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Oh, I keeep it at every throw.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
I need to see where I'm at, you know, like
if I throw one where I think, you know, that
was eighty percent.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I look at the board that says ninety eight. You know,
I think that's important. Or I try to muscle one up,
I look at the board and it only says ninety seven.
You know, like you don't need to try that hard,
So I think it's important.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Sometimes, like I said, you loosen up on a pitch,
maybe a slight step, you throw a crowd ball.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
You're like, oh, was that slow?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
And you look up to see eighty five You're like, oh, okay,
well that's good to know.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
So you know, it's not much of an ego thing
for me.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
It's more of just a seeing where I'm at and
where my stuff stacks up with it ors that I'm
facing that day.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
All right, promise you one thing. Wrap this up. You
guys are up ten to one in a game and
you're there in the ninth inning. Throw me one epist pitch.
Can you do that for me? Give me some of
that been a mid forties. Give me some with a
little little zap to it, you know what I mean,
just a little slow.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I wish I had the capabilities of doing that.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
It's hard for me to slow myself down, and especially
at the big league level.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
You know, now we'll see if I'm tapable of that.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I don't.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I don't like my chances though.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Now you're just bragging. Come on, I mean, now, everybody's
got ninety seven mona or gun. I can throw at
a the fist. You can do it too. Hey, good
to visit with you. We've talked to you a few
times over the years, and you sound like you're in
a great friend of mine. We're very happy that you're
back up in and continued success. Stay up there as
long as you can and help this team win this division,
and we'll talk with you soon. We really appreciate it
absolutely well.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Thank you guys for the support, and thank you guys
for having me on.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You got it. Forrest Whitley with us here on the
radio program M
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