Whitley Gets First Professional Hit, RBIs

Niskayuna native Garrett Whitley got his first professional hit on Saturday afternoon, knocking in two runs with a single for the GCL Rays in a loss to the GCL Orioles.

Whitley's first hit makes him 1-8 now in his career. He's played three games for the Rays.

Selected No. 13 overall in this year's MLB draft, Whitley has drawn comparisons to Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, and Justin Upton by various experts we have spoken to.

Whitley was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in New York this season. He passed up a chance to play at Wake Forest to sign professionally.

Whitley joins Capital Region natives Tommy Kahnle (Shaker), Jaime Schultz (Maple Hill), Jeff Hoffman (Shaker), Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth), Murphy Smith (Shen), Branden Cogswell (Shen), Brian O'Keefe (Colonie), JP Sportman (La Salle) and Mike Fish (Bethlehem) as players in professional baseball.

Kahnle is in the major leagues with the Colorado Rockies.