SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Carson Whisenhunt wasn’t expecting to see a number that high.
During the first inning of Thursday’s simulated game, Whisenhunt geared up and fired a four-seam fastball to catcher Logan Porter. The pitch felt good coming out of his hand, so he took a look at Scottsdale Stadium’s scoreboard to see how hard he just threw.
97.
This wasn’t a case of a stadium having a hot radar gun. The scoreboard projected Trackman readings, meaning this was a legitimate 97 mph. And if this caliber of heat is real, it has the potential to transform him as a pitcher.
“I think there’s more in there, too,” Porter said. “It’s coming out firm.”
Whisenhunt’s velocity wasn’t just for show. He retired seven of the eight batters he faced during the sim game, striking out Jesus Rodriguez, Jake Holton and Bo Davidson on his signature changeup.
“I’m feeling a lot better than I did last year,” Whisenhunt said. “I’m moving better mechanically, especially, so everything’s just kind of flowing right now. I’m trying not to overdo it, but it came out hot today.”
Whisenhunt didn’t exhibit this type of velocity during his brief time in the majors last season. Over five starts, the left-hander had an average fastball velocity of 92.6 mph, which ranked in the 23rd percentile. His velocity with Triple-A Sacramento (92.3 mph) was no better.
The left-hander said he was sinking in his back hip a lot more last year, which he felt like was “blocking velo, so to speak.” Now, Whisenhunt is a little more upright and trying to get into his back hip.
“And then, just kind of throwing the [expletive] out of it,” Whisenhunt said with a smile. “That’s the best way to put it.”
In his estimation, the last time Whisenhunt exhibited consistent mid-90s velocity was 2023, his first full season as a professional after being drafted in the second round of the ‘22 MLB draft. That year, which he spent with Single-A San Jose, High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond, Whisenhunt’s velocity sat in the 94-97 mph range.
Whisenhunt, who’s peaked as high as 98 mph, acknowledged that he probably won’t consistently hit as high as 97. If he can sit comfortably in the 94, 95-mph range as he did in 2023, the rest of his arsenal plays up — especially his bread-and-butter changeup.
“Obviously, trying to win a job, you have to do a little extra as a young guy, but not trying to overdo it,” Whisenhunt said. “But also, get my work in and make sure I’m ready for the season.”
Improved velocity isn’t the only new tool in Whisenhunt’s bag. The left-hander, like many other young starters in camp, added a cutter to his repertoire. Whisenhunt has also worked on his slider, the focus being on generating more horizontal and downward movement.
One of Whisenhunt’s biggest additions to his game hasn’t been extra velocity or refined pitches, but the subtraction of tipping.
Whisenhunt and the Giants’ coaching staff realized he was tipping pitches after his start against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27, a game he won after allowing three earned runs over five innings. Before Whisenhunt could address the issue, his lower back began giving him issues and sidelined him for the rest of the year.
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“We obviously don’t know that — it could’ve gone either way. I had success, I had failure, so I’m looking at it as, ‘What can I do better during spring training to push me to get back up there?'”
Lighting up the scoreboard will certainly help Whisenhunt’s pursuit of getting back to the majors.
Santos hits triple digits in sim game
Whisenhunt wasn’t the only pitcher chucking heat on Thursday. Right-hander Gregory Santos not only retired all four batters that he faced but also touched 100 mph during his at-bat against Tyler Fitzgerald.
“It’s a good arm,” Whisenhunt said. “Then, you play the four-seam off of that, the two-seam that he’s got and he’s got the power slider as well. Tough for a hitter in that aspect.”
Santos, 26, made his debut with the Giants in 2021 and is back in camp as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander pitched well for the Chicago White Sox in ‘23, posting a 3.39 ERA and 2.65 FIP over 66 1/3 innings, but injuries have limited him to 16 appearances over the last two years.
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