Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

Scouts have bemoaned the lack of quality college left-handers in the 2023 Draft, but Whitman's growth has been a pleasant development as he has moved to the top of that group. He worked just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Kent State, where he has blossomed under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Birkbeck. He won Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and should be the school's highest pick since 2016 first-rounder Eric Lauer. 

Whitman's fastball operates at 91-94 mph and hits 96 with riding action, playing up a bit because he locates it well. His best offering is a low-80s slider that he commands even better than his fastball and features horizontal and vertical action. His low-80s changeup features some fade and sink but lags behind his other two pitches in terms of consistency because he hasn't used it much. 

After battling the strike zone at Purdue, Whitman has cleaned up his delivery, which still includes some effort. He began throwing more strikes last summer in the Northwoods and Cape Cod Leagues, and he has pounded the zone with his fastball and slider all spring. He has performed well and maintained his stuff throughout the season, establishing himself as a legitimate three-pitch starter. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

After working just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue, Whitman transferred to Kent State and took off under the tutelage of pitching coach and former big leaguer Mike Birkbeck. He won Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year accolades, developed into the best college southpaw in the 2023 Draft and went in the supplemental second round. He struggled in Double-A last year, posting an Eastern League-worst 5.29 ERA, though he did strike out 124 in 117 1/3 innings.

Whitman struggled because Double-A hitters crushed his fastball, which parked at 91-93 and topped out at 96 without much life. His best pitch is a low-80s slider with horizontal and vertical action, and he commands it better than his heater. He also can make hitters look bad with a sinking low-80s changeup, though he struggles to land it in the zone consistently.

Whitman comes with enough pitches and strikes to make it as a starter, but his ceiling appears lower than it did when he entered pro ball. Unless he improves his fastball velocity and shape, he probably won't be more that a back-of-the-rotation option. He also could become a lefty reliever who depends heavily on his slider.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Whitman worked just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Kent State, where he blossomed under pitching coach and former big leaguer Mike Birkbeck, becoming the Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year and the consensus best college left-hander in the 2023 Draft. He lasted a bit longer than expected and the Giants were delighted to grab him with their supplemental second-round choice at No. 69 overall. He divided his first full pro season between two Class A levels, logging a 4.63 ERA with a 108/37 K/BB ratio in 103 innings. 

All three of Whitman's pitches grade as at least solid at their best, highlighted by a low-80s slider with horizontal and vertical movement that he commands better than his fastball. He does a good job of locating his heater too, operating at 92-94 mph and touching 97 with riding and tailing action. His low-80s changeup lacks the consistency of his fastball and slider but still misses bats with its fade and sink. 

Whitman couldn't find the strike zone at Purdue but cleaned up his mechanics at Kent State and now has a more fluid delivery. He struggled with his control in the first half of last season but sliced his walk rate from 12 percent in Single-A to 5 percent in High-A. A legitimate three-pitch starter, he could fit into the middle of a big league rotation if he continues to improve his changeup and strike-throwing. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

After working just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue, Whitman transferred to Kent State for 2023 and took off under the tutelage of pitching coach and former big leaguer Mike Birkbeck. He won Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year accolades and became the consensus best college left-hander in the Draft. The Giants were surprised to find him available in the supplemental second round, signed him for $805,575 and saw him pitch well in a brief pro debut. 

A true three-pitch starter, Whitman owns a fastball that sits at 91-94 mph and touches 96, playing better than its velocity because of its ride and tail and his ability to command it. His best option is a low-80s slider with horizontal and vertical action, and he does an even better job of locating it than his heater. Though his low-80s changeup isn't as consistent as his other two offerings because he hasn't used it as much, it fades and sinks and misses bats. 

Whitman didn't throw strikes at Purdue but that's no longer an issue. He cleaned up his delivery at Kent State, and while it still features some effort, he now fills the zone with his fastball and slider. If he continues to refine his changeup and control, he could develop into a mid-rotation starter. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

Whitman worked just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Kent State, where he blossomed this spring under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Birkbeck. He won Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and rated as the best college left-hander in the Draft. Surprisingly, he lasted until pick No. 69 in the supplemental second round. He signed for $805,575.

Whitman's fastball operates at 91-94 mph and hits 96 with riding action, playing up a bit because he locates it well. His best offering is a low-80s slider that he commands even better than his fastball and which features horizontal and vertical action. His low-80s changeup features some fade and sink but lags behind his other two pitches in terms of consistency because he hasn't used it much.  

After battling the strike zone at Purdue, Whitman has cleaned up his delivery, which still includes some effort. He began throwing more strikes last summer in the Northwoods and Cape Cod Leagues before pounding the zone with his fastball and slider all spring. He performed well and maintained his stuff throughout the college season, establishing himself as a legitimate three-pitch starter.

Awards

EAS Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
05/04/2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to San Francisco Giants Prospects.
	02/23/2026	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to San Francisco Giants.
	04/01/2025	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to Richmond Flying Squirrels from Eugene Emeralds.
	03/06/2025	activated LHP Joe Whitman.
	06/19/2024	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to Eugene Emeralds from San Jose Giants.
	03/07/2024	San Francisco Giants Prospects activated LHP Joe Whitman.
	08/27/2023	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to San Jose Giants from ACL Giants Black.
	07/29/2023	LHP Joe Whitman assigned to ACL Giants Black.
	07/17/2023	San Francisco Giants signed LHP Joe Whitman.
	04/11/2022	LHP Joseph Whitman and assigned to Purdue Boilermakers.