Simon Whiteman, MIF
DOB: January 28, 1997
BATS: R / THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 9th Round (#266), 2019
LAST LEVEL: Low-A
VOLATILITY: High
GiantFutures Ranks: #3 Second Baseman
Performance: After getting Drafted, Whiteman got into just about as many games as any 2019 draftee did, playing 33 at Salem-Keizer and then 36 at Augusta. His slash line at either will show you the type of hitter he is, combining for a .274/386/.313 batting line, with a total of eight doubles and one triple to round out his extra-base hit total. Notably, in 36 games at Augusta, he had just one extra-base hit (a double).
Whiteman’s standout line was on the basepaths, as he stole 31 bases on 42 attempts, and was 16 of 19 in attempts at Augusta. He collected 45 walks to 59 strikeouts overall, giving him a 14.5% BB rate and a 19% strikeout rate, both strong numbers.
Whiteman was a star in the Ivy League, slashing .337/.388/.465 his senior year at Yale, showing his best power with 17 doubles, two triples and one home run, and 34 steals without being caught.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Whiteman has one standout tool, and that is his speed. Now that Johneshwy Fargas has left the Giants system, Whiteman is pretty easily the fastest baserunner in the system, and he’s a smart one as well (not just because he’s from Yale). He matches it with a batting eye that allows him to take advantage of his speed, both by putting the ball in play and getting walks.
Whiteman also shows good defensive sensibilities up the middle, and split time evenly between shortstop and second base while at Augusta. There’s not a lot of scouting out there on him, but he looks like he could play shortstop defensively at the higher levels.
The rest of his bat is a problem, though. He has only average contact skills, and has very sub-par power. It’s obvious that his game is speed, but if he can’t get on base enough to use it, his floor is outside of the Major Leagues.
2021 Outlook: Despite not having a high draft profile nor a big scouting report, the Giants were aggressive with Whiteman because of his intelligence on and off the field. Whiteman played in one of the 2020 leagues set up in the Appalachian and did well there. I’d expect him to be in High-A Eugene, where he’ll be all over the diamond. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants trying him out in center field. He played a smattering of outfield in summer leagues in college. Otherwise, in the infield, he’ll be squeezed for playing time between Marco Luciano and Will Wilson.
Future Profile: Without power, it’s hard to see Whiteman as a full-time Major League starter, but he has the standout tool in his speed to make him stand out. If he can add center field to his profile, he could be one of Zaidi’s versatile utility weapons that can play anywhere and also be used in a pinch for speed to disrupt games and score runs.
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