The Astros have a plan in place that will take Whitley's first partial pro season through the middle of August, the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

He made his pro debut Friday in the Gulf Coast League, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning. "The pitches looked good," general manager Jeff Luhnow said of Whitley's debut. "He was able to get his work in. So it was a good first step for him." If all goes well, Whitley could get an appearance or two with the team's Appalachian League affiliate before he is shut down for the season. Houston is very cognizant of Whitley's high school workload, and will therefore take it easy with him this season. The 6-foot-7 Texan has a the potential for three plus pitches down the road, depending on how his changeup comes along, and his thick 250-pound frame was built for logging innings, making him an appealing option among the prep pitchers in this year's draft class.