Sometimes you have to take your shot.
Karsten is a 6'4", 215lb right-hander from Chipley, FL with a fastball that runs between 90 and 95 mph. His main secondary pitch is a relatively polished slider that has been unhittable at the amateur level. While he has shown some feel for a changeup, he just hasn't needed to use it much up to this point, but we anticipate that he'll have a solid one going forward. A great competitor, Karsten pitches with an attitude, and I mean that in the best way possible.
As this year's big league team illustrates, we're going to win here in PETCO with great pitching, and we feel Karsten has the chance to pitch at the top of a rotation. Like any high schooler, it is going to take a while for him to develop fully, and we'll have a defined plan to increase his workload over the years to prepare him for the rigors of an ML season.
This pick doesn't come without risk, but that goes for any amateur player. In this instance, though, we have the chance to develop a dominant starting pitcher.
Now it's time to sit back and watch the next 40 picks and continue to strategize for tomorrow.
8 comments:
Nice job, guys! Karsten Whitson was the guy that I was hoping for throughout the last couple of weeks. Let's go get him signed!
Great to see you active Paul. I cannot wait to follow your coverage over the next few days.
I get the selection but I'd really like to see the Pads develop some bats. Its going to be much harder for them to lure position players to petco than pitchers.
So curious...Is Karsten related to Ed Whitson?
I'm really bummed out. I wanted Whitson to go to the Mets, I had him much higher rated than Matt Harvey. As soon as the Mets passed on him I knew you guys would grab him. He's an extremely advanced HS arm, which is extremely rare. He also has a chance for three plus pitches and doesn't come with the risk most HS pitchers come with, even Taillon.
The four letter network states that Whitson is 6'4" 195 lbs, while you say 215 lbs. Has he gained 20 lbs? As a high school kid, do you expect him to grow further and add additional life on his fastball?
Criss,
No relation other than hopefully being very good big leaguers for the Padres.
Shane,
Karsten has already begun to fill out, but I imagine there will be even more to come.
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