| Player: Joe Whitman | |||||||||||
| Org: San Francisco Giants | Highest Level: Triple A | Position(s): LHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 215 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Left | ||||||||
| Summary: The velocity gains in 2026 have been the catalyst that changed the evaluation. Added fastball velocity brought carry that wasn’t present before — a meaningful shape improvement that has helped the pitch avoid the damage it absorbed against advanced hitters the prior season when it sat flatter and lower. The overall arsenal has played up alongside the fastball gains, and the performance improvement that followed gives the trajectory real credibility. A repeatable delivery with a solid foundation for throwing strikes across multiple offerings gives the starter path something workable to build from. The slider is what makes the profile go at its best. A low-80s offering that also gained velocity in 2026 with both lateral and vertical movement — the version with the most depth and late action is genuinely difficult to square up, and the swing-and-miss rates have responded accordingly. The inconsistency is the challenge — when the shape backs up or the break comes too early the pitch loses most of its effectiveness, and developing the ability to repeat the best version more reliably is the priority that would give the arsenal a true weapon. The changeup has made progress against right-handed hitters and gives the profile secondary depth beyond the slider, adding enough variation to support the rotation path. The fastball shape and command remain the variables worth watching. The pitch needs to maintain its improved characteristics and the location needs to take another step before the back-end starter ceiling is a clean projection — command that dotted corners more consistently would unlock meaningful additional value. The slider quality gives the profile enough margin that the starter path is achievable without everything being perfect, and a relief role built around the slider is a comfortable fallback if the starter development plateaus. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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