The New York Yankees lost seven players in the Rule 5 Draft that took place last week. One of the best of the bunch is right-handed starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock, who is a decent prospect that projects as a backend rotation arm or reliever in the bigs.
Whitlock was in the Yankees’ system since the 2017 season. Now, three years later, his time with the Bombers is up and he will be playing with the team that picked him in the Rule 5 Draft: the Boston Red Sox.
It may be weird for a player to go straight from the Yankees to their archrivals, but Whitlock has been very professional about it and recently said to the Boston Globe that he is excited for the opportunity to continue his pitching career and keep pursuing his dream of making it in the big leagues.
“Extremely excited,†Whitlock said to the Globe via telephone from his home in Alabama. “It’s kind of crazy to go from being with the Yankees for four years to the Red Sox. But I’m glad to get the opportunity.â€
The Yankees left him unprotected but he is now healthy
The righty underwent the dreaded Tommy John surgery back in July 2019, which probably contributed to the Yankees leaving him unprotected. The Red Sox took advantage and now have a legitimate prospect that has already reached Double-A.
“I’m fully healthy,†Whitlock said. “I’ve gone through the progression. I need to talk with [Red Sox pitching coach] Dave Bush about what’s next. But when I get to spring training I’ll be ready to earn my spot. I’ll compete my butt off.â€
According to the Globe report, Boston feels Whitlock can help them as at least a multi-inning reliever, if not as the No. 5 starter.
He is seen as a polished hurler who doesn’t miss too many bats, but gets outs with a mid-90s sinker.
“If you can get outs and stay in the game, somebody will always give you a uniform,†he said.