text: Whittleman heading to instructs - Texas - Scout
  Whittleman heading to instructsJason Cole09/11/2007Third baseman John Whittleman was promoted to High-A Bakersfield after spending nearly two full seasons with the Clinton LumberKings. Lone Star Dugout has a Q&A with the 20-year-old prospect, who will be attending Fall Instructional League later this month.Third baseman John Whittleman began the 2007 season with the Clinton LumberKings for the second year in a row and hit .343 with nine home runs in the season's first two months. The performance earned Whittleman a spot in the MLB Futures Game during All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
  However, the 20-year-old struggled in the season's second half in Clinton and was eventually promoted to High-A Bakersfield for a change of scenery. He continued to slump at times with the Blaze, as he batted .240 with nine doubles and three home runs in 29 games. Whittleman continued to display outstanding patience, drawing 23 walks in only 104 official at-bats.
  Whittleman is currently resting at home in Texas, but he will be leaving for the Fall Instructional League in Arizona in late-September. Lone Star Dugout recently spoke with the native of Kingwood, Texas.
  Jason Cole: What are your thoughts on your season with Bakersfield?
  John Whittleman: It was new scenery and a new experience. It was definitely good getting out of Clinton, seeing different stuff, and being in a new atmosphere. But as far as me being there playing-wise, it wasn't anything overwhelming. Pitchers had better secondary stuff and more control, which they're going to have as you go up. All in all it was a good experience and hopefully I won't be there long next year if I have to go back, if at all.
  Cole: Did you feel that you wore down as the season went along?
  Whittleman: No, not really. I had a couple of nagging injuries that were hurting me as I was performing. I wore down mentally more than physically. Every night and every day I was just trying to figure out what those pitchers were going to do to me. It's a grind. I thought I might have worn down a little bit mentally.
  Cole: What exactly were the injuries?
  Whittleman: It was a slight wrist sprain. I had to wear a wrist guard whenever I was sliding. It kind of nagged on me when I was hitting too. Little stuff like that. It wasn't enough to make me have to sit out, but it was enough that I felt it every time I went out.
  Cole: Are you over the injuries yet?
  Whittleman: No, not quite yet.
  Cole: You walked quite a bit when you were in Bakersfield; I believe it was 23 times in 29 games. Why do you feel that was?
  Whittleman: I thought I could've had more walks than what I had. I think it's definitely because of the umpiring. As you move up, the umpires are going to get better. They're learning at the lower levels just like we are. But I think I could have had more walks than I did, even though I did have 23 out of 29 games. I think the umpires are going to get better as you go up, the strike zone is going to shrink, and the better hitters are going to come out because the ball will be more around the plate.
  Cole: You struggled against lefties in Clinton, but you hit .292 off them in Bakersfield. Did you make any adjustments against left-handed pitching?
  Whittleman: No, actually I was struggling to hit lefties early in Bakersfield. I was 0 for 7 against them. But like anything new, they didn't know me and I didn't know them. I was hitting in the three-hole there, so they were pitching me tough there. Once I figured it out and got used to it, I didn't have too much of a problem. I didn't really change anything. I was just looking away and reacting in.
  Cole: What were you working on at the plate during your time in Bakersfield?
  Whittleman: Just smoothing everything out. Easier front thigh, front step – getting it down a little bit earlier. I'm trying to calm everything down instead of being herky-jerky up there.
  Cole: You're going to instructs later this month. What do you plan on working on while you're there?
  Whittleman: Probably a couple of different fielding things. Just my feet and throwing accuracy maybe. And hitting all around. Just getting more swings, keep working on the approach, calming the whole lower half down, and just smoothing everything out. Share on Facebook Share on TwitterTrending on ScoutWATCH: Jeter weighs in on Kaepernick, AnthemRed Raiders Rallied After Catastrophe StruckACC Football Roundup: Week 5 Top StoriesNavy ESSM 2 Missile to Stop High-Tech AttacksLet's Go to the Video: Run Game vs. StanfordFuture Rangers Top StoriesMLB Postseason Schedule ReleasedThe 2016 MLB Postseason schedule has been released.by Hayden GroveIndians Baseball Insider08/23/2016Rangers to Keep Globe Life as Retail SpaceTexas Rangers co-chairman and managing partner Ray Davis told WFAA recently that he does not plan to totally destroy Globe Life Park and intends to use it as retail space.by Tyler SternStadium Journey09/20/2016Davis Webb vs. Texas: Coming Full CircleWatching Colt McCoy in person while on an ice hockey club trip to Austin, Davis Webb fell in love with the quarterback position, and now, he finally gets his crack at the Texas…by Ryan GorceyBearTerritory.net09/16/2016New Review: Texas RangersRegional Correspondent Michael Davis gives us a look at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers - an old style ballpark with a Texas flavor, featuring announcer Chuck Morgan,…by Michael DavisStadium Journey09/14/2016New Review: Frisco RoughRidersMike Davis highlights Dr Pepper Ballpark and its newest attraction, the Chocktaw Lazy River, which makes it one of the most unique minor league parks in the country.by Michael DavisStadium Journey09/06/2016Scout Hot Sheet: Rougned OdorThe Texas Rangers roll through the AL West thanks to a 15-RBI week by Rougned Odor.by Ryan GorceyScout MLB Network09/05/2016Separating the pretenders from the contendersThe difference between looking good and actually being good in baseball is up for interpretation, but the IBI's John Mast believes the run differentials to this point in the season…by John MastIndians Baseball Insider09/02/2016O's claim Stubbs off waivers from RangersThe Orioles are seemingly going all-in for the playoffs, as they have picked up Drew Stubbs for outfield depth.by Joshua SchwamHardball Scoop08/31/2016Orioles acquire Kyle Lobstein from PiratesThe Baltimore Orioles have acquired reliever Kyle Lobstein from the Pittsburgh Pirates.by Alex McKeonHardball Scoop08/31/2016Kinston Triumphantly Returns to Pro BallKinston, North Carolina is back in the Carolina League with this this week's announcement that the Texas Rangers will operate a club out of Grainger Stadium next season. This will…by Marc ViquezStadium Journey08/26/2016Report: Jeremy Jeffress Arrested for DWITexas Rangers' reliever Jeremy Jeffress was arrested early this morning for driving while intoxicated.by Joshua SchwamHardball Scoop08/26/2016Shawn Childs: MLB DFS Rundown (8/25)Shawn Childs is hooking Premium members up with MLB DFS advice that will help you cash on DraftKings and FanDuel!by Shawn ChildsScout Fantasy08/25/2016Load More