Whitley Signs Deal Worth Nearly $3 Million

Niskayuna graduate Garrett Whitley is now officially a professional baseball player. The standout outfielder has foregone a college career at Wake Forest University and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Whitley was in Tampa yesterday to sign the deal, which is worth $2,962,100. That is the full slot value allotted to the No. 13 pick in the draft.

After signing, Whitley hung out on the field with the Rays. He also took batting practice at Tropicana Field, and these are his first professional swings:

Whitley's hands and bat speed certainly impress in that video. That's consistent with what we had heard all throughout the draft process. Jonathan Mayo told us that his bat speed was comparable to Justin Upton, and it certainly looks the part right here.

Later this morning at 1045theteam.com, we will head to Tampa Bay to find out what the experience was like for Whitley yesterday from Rays reporter and TB radio personality Steve Carney.