Bats Right Throws Right Earned run average 6.57 Height 1.88 m Salary 507,500 USD (2016) | Win–loss record 1–2 Strikeouts 25 Weight 91 kg | |
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Robert D. Whalen (born January 31, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Atlanta Braves.
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Early life
Whalen's parents are from Queens, New York City, and moved to the Pocono Mountains to raise their children. After Whalen's older sisters graduated from high school, the Whalens moved to Florida, where Whalen would have a better opportunity to pursue a career in baseball. He graduated from Haines City High School in Haines City, Florida.
Professional career
The New York Mets selected Whalen in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Whalen had committed to attend Florida Atlantic University to play college baseball for the Florida Atlantic Owls.
After pitching for the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Class A South Atlantic League during the 2014 season, Whalen pitched in the Arizona Fall League, where he worked on the development of his changeup. The Mets assigned him to the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League to begin the 2015 season. On July 24, the Mets traded Whalen and John Gant to the Atlanta Braves for Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson. The Braves assigned Whalen to their A Advanced affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League. In 2016, Whalen began the season with the Mississippi Braves of the Class AA Southern League, and was promoted to the Gwinnett Braves of the Class AAA International League in July.
The Braves promoted Whalen to make his major league debut on August 3, 2016. He faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, and allowed four earned runs over five innings to earn the victory. Whalen was placed on the disabled list with a diagnosis of shoulder fatigue on August 25, and did not pitch for the rest of the season. In September, the Mississippi Braves named Whalen Pitcher of the Year.
On November 28, 2016, Whalen and Max Povse were traded to the Seattle Mariners organization in exchange for Alex Jackson and Tyler Pike.
Pitching style
Despite being an effective ground ball pitcher, Whalen stated that he would actively seek the strikeout whenever a two-strike count arose. By not focusing on the strikeout, at the suggestion of Mississippi Braves pitching coach Dennis Lewallyn, Whalen's strikeouts per nine innings actually rose throughout the 2016 season, and led to his promotion to the major leagues.