Giants Baseball Insider

SF Giants promote 2022 second-round pick Carson Whisenhunt to High-A

After four starts with the San Jose Giants this season, 2022 SF Giants second-round pick Carson Whisenhunt has been promoted to High-A Eugene.

Marc Delucchi

SF Giants promote 2022 second-round pick Carson Whisenhunt to High-A
SF Giants promote 2022 second-round pick Carson Whisenhunt to High-A /
In this story:

The SF Giants promoted left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt (Giants #9 prospect) to High-A Eugene on Wednesday. Whisenhunt had made four starts this season with the organization's Single-A affiliate and racked up 20 strikeouts against just four walks in 13.2 innings pitched with a 3.29 ERA. While the move was overshadowed by the promotion of catching prospect Patrick Bailey (Giants #21 prospect) to Triple-A, Whisenhunt's early-season promotion is noteworthy as well.

The Giants drafted Whisenhunt in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, receiving an over-slot signing bonus just north of $1.8 million to forego returning to East Carolina. Whisenhunt had been a consensus first-round prospect after the 2021 collegiate season. However, he was suspended for the 2022 season for violating the NCAA's performance-enhancing drugs policy. Whisenhunt pitched in the Cape Cod League in the weeks leading up to the draft but had less feel for his pitches than he had shown as a sophomore.

The Giants have defended Whisenhunt from criticism he's faced due to his suspension. And, since reaching pro ball, the southpaw has rewarded them for their confidence. In seven appearances last year between Rookie Ball, Single-A, and the Arizona Fall League, Whisenhunt amassed 25 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched with a 1.29 ERA and just four walks.

Whisenhunt sports a low-90s fastball and a fringe curveball that has flashed above-average potential, but his changeup is his calling card. Whisenhunt had the best changeup in last year's draft class, and it's already a viable big-league pitch. It has the potential to be a 70 or 80-grade offering.

A Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, Whisenhunt has sported more control than command so far as a professional. While his elite changeup has made hitters look silly throughout his career in college and the lower minors, it also has covered up some other areas he needs to improve.

One exceptional offering is usually more than enough to dominate the lower minors, but by the time pitchers reach Double and Triple-A, hitters tend to adjust. With that in mind, it makes sense for the SF Giants to promote Carson Whisenhunt quickly, to give him some challenges that can hopefully help him develop his command and the rest of his arsenal.

Published
Marc Delucchi
MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).

Home/San Francisco Giants News