It was widely speculated that Niskayuna graduate and 2015 first-round draft pick Garrett Whitley would begin the second year of his professional career with the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York-Penn League, and now it is confirmed by the Daily Gazette.

Whitley was taken No. 13 overall by the Rays last year and struggled professionally, hitting .174 across the Gulf Coast League and the NY-Penn League, but in year two, he should feel much more comfortable.

Playing in the Penn League is a welcomed sight for Capital Region fans, as the Renegades play less than two hours away in Fishkill. If Whitley stays with Hudson Valley, he will also have a chance to play at Joe Bruno Stadium in August when the Renegades visit the ValleyCats.

Whitley is part of the trio of Capital Region first-rounders in the last three years: Shaker's Jeff Hoffman went No. 9 overall in the 2014 draft, Whitley in 2015 and Shen's Ian Anderson went No. 3 overall this year.

More From 104.5 THE TEAM