Carson Whisenhunt, LHP
DOB: 10/20/2000
BATS: L  /  THROWS: L
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2022, 2nd Round
LAST LEVEL: Low-A
VOLATILITY: Very High

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GiantFutures 2023 Ranks: #5 Overall, #2 Starting Pitcher

2022 Performance: There’s not much to say about Carson Whisenhunt’s 2022 season.  Whisenhunt didn’t pitch in his 2022 season due to a positive drug test that Whisenhunt claims was from supplements he took over the winter.  That helped Whisenhunt slip in the draft, after being predicted to be drafted at the end of the first round, he lasted until the end of the second round for the Giants to take him.

Whisenhunt made a brief pro debut late in the 2022 season.  He struck out seven in 3.0 innings in the Arizona Complex League in two appearances.  He then moved to San Jose, where he made two more appearances, striking out seven and walking one in 4.2 innings.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Whisenhunt’s biggest strength is his changeup, which has as much as 10 miles per hour difference from his fastball and drops off the table, leading to a high whiff rate.  He pairs it with a low-90’s fastball that is average, and he’s still improving his control with it.

Whisenhunt also has a third pitch which will be his project pitch, an upper 80’s curve that he hasn’t used much yet.  His control isn’t the sharpest, but he works well with it, getting a lot of whiffs off his changeup even when they don’t stay in the zone.

2023 Outlook: Whisenhunt is a little raw for a college pitcher since he missed his junior season, so he’ll likely start his year in San Jose.  His biggest job this season is to work on making his curveball a usable third pitch to help his starter profile.

Future Profile: Whisenhunt has a true plus-plus pitch in his changeup, which helps give him a high floor.  There’s reliever risk, but good changeups usually lead to starter profiles, where he can work with other pitches deeper into games.  Whisenhunt has a ceiling of a mid-rotation starter if he can continue sharpening his stuff.