| Rob Whalen | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-01-31)January 31, 1994 (age 32) Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 3, 2016, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 15, 2018, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1–3 |
| Earned run average | 5.75 |
| Strikeouts | 27 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Robert Donald Whalen (born January 31, 1994) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves andSeattle Mariners.
Whalen's parents are fromQueens,New York City, and moved to thePocono Mountains to raise their children. After Whalen's older sisters graduated from high school, the Whalens moved toFlorida, where Whalen would have a better opportunity to pursue a career in baseball.[1] He graduated fromHaines City High School inHaines City, Florida.[2]
TheNew York Mets selected Whalen in the 12th round of the2012 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Whalen had committed to attendFlorida Atlantic University to playcollege baseball for theFlorida Atlantic Owls.[3]
After pitching for theSavannah Sand Gnats of theSingle–ASouth Atlantic League during the 2014 season, Whalen pitched in theArizona Fall League, where he worked on the development of hischangeup. The Mets assigned him to theSt. Lucie Mets of theHigh–AFlorida State League to begin the 2015 season.[1]
On July 24, the Mets traded Whalen andJohn Gant to theAtlanta Braves forJuan Uribe andKelly Johnson.[4] The Braves assigned Whalen to their A Advanced affiliate, theCarolina Mudcats of theCarolina League.[5] In 2016, Whalen began the season with theMississippi Braves of theDouble–ASouthern League,[6] and was promoted to theGwinnett Braves of theTriple–AInternational League in July.[7]
The Braves promoted Whalen to make his major league debut on August 3, 2016. He faced thePittsburgh Pirates, and allowed four earned runs over five innings to earn the victory.[8] 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.[9] In September, the Mississippi Braves named Whalen Pitcher of the Year.[10]
On November 28, 2016, Whalen andMax Povse were traded to theSeattle Mariners organization in exchange forAlex Jackson and Tyler Pike.[11][12] Whalen was designated for assignment on September 1, 2018.
Whalen announced his retirement from professional baseball on February 25, 2019, citing his battle with depression and anxiety as the main reason for doing so.[13][14]
On January 27, 2020, Whalen came out of retirement and signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets organization. Whalen did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[15][16] He was released by the Mets organization on May 20.[17]
On March 5, 2021, Whalen signed with theWest Virginia Power of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. However, on May 5, before the ALPB season began, Whalen signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins organization.[18] In 11 appearances split between the Double-AWichita Wind Surge and the Triple-ASt. Paul Saints, Whalen struggled to an 0-4 record with an 8.63 ERA and 19 strikeouts. On August 10, 2021, Whalen was released by the Twins.[19]
On August 23, 2021, Whalen became the first former MLB player to sign with theWashington Wild Things.[20] In 4 appearances in the regular season, Whalen went 2-0 with 15.1 innings pitched, a 1.76 ERA, 18 strikeouts and a 1.43 WHIP. In the postseason, he started 3 games and went 1-2 with 19 innings pitched, a 3.78 ERA, 22 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP.[21] In the semi-finals, he lost Game 1 vsÉquipe Québec but pitched 8 shutout innings in Game 5 to help clinch the finals vs theSchaumburg Boomers. In the finals, he lost Game 4 after pitching 7 innings with 3 runs allowed and struck out 9. Washington would ultimately lose the finals the next day, blowing a 2-1 series lead.
On February 10, 2022, Whalen re-signed with the Wild Things for the 2022 season.[22] In 16 games for Washington, he posted a 12–2 record and 3.50 ERA with 79 strikeouts across100+1⁄3 innings pitched. On December 5, Whalen was released by the Wild Things by having his contract option declined.[23]
On December 14, 2022, Whalen signed with theAcereros de Monclova of theMexican League.[24] However, he was released prior to the season on April 10, 2023.[25]
Despite being an effective ground ball pitcher, Whalen stated that he would actively seek the strikeout whenever a two-strike count arose.[26] By not focusing on the strikeout, at the suggestion of Mississippi Braves pitching coachDennis Lewallyn, Whalen'sstrikeouts per nine innings actually rose throughout the 2016 season, and led to his promotion to the major leagues.[27]
· Baseball Almanac