Prep Baseball Report

Prospect Q&A: RHP Thomas Wilhite



Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director




Scouting Report

8/2/17 Strong 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, durable build with thick, powerful lower half. Medium, clean arm stroke into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed, and little effort. Fluid, athletic delivery with level shoulders, in-line direction, lands square and finishes athletic. Cemented himself as one of the top arms in Louisiana’s 2019 class, showing quality stuff at the nation’s premier underclass event. Tossed three innings over two days at the Future Games, sitting 87-91 mph with downward tilt on the fastball, showing solid control of the pitch. Presently, the change-up is his best secondary pitch, showing fastball arm speed, deception, and depth to the offering that flashes hard, late fading action at 78-82 mph. Primarily uses a curveball, when spinning the baseball that shows  11/5 shape, fastball arm speed, and depth at 72-75 mph. However, he flashed a slider with sharpness, tighter spin and late break at 77-80 mph.

Summer/2017 Strong 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, athletic build, strong lower half, projects well. Short, in-line arm action into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed, solid balance, and regular effort. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction, lands square and finishes athletic. Fastball sits 85-89 mph with solid tilt and command in the zone. Breaking ball shows 11/5 shape, solid spin, occasional sharp break and fastball arm speed at 70-72 mph. Also shows advanced feel for a changeup with sinking action that bites hard in on right-handed hitters, and fastball arm speed at 78-80 mph.

1/7/17 Strong 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, athletic build, strong lower half, projects well. Short arm action into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed, solid balance, and regular effort. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction, lands square and finishes athletic. Fastball sat 84-86 mph with solid tilt and command in the zone. Breaking ball showed 11/5 shape, tight spin, sharp break and fastball arm speed at 70-72 mph. Also showed a changeup with sinking action and fastball arm speed at 78-80.


The Prep Baseball Report Louisiana scouting staff recently sat down with the PBR Future Games standout to discuss his recent commitment to LSU. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session: 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Wilhite: I really didn't think about it much at first, I just wanted to find the college that best suited me and my needs.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Wilhite:  No not necessarily, I just wanted to find a school that would best develop my skill-set.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Wilhite: Coach Cain came to watch me play with my high school team early in the summer. My relationship with Coach Cain was definitely one of the stronger interactions during my process and as we talked more I realized Baton Rouge could be a home for me.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Wilhite: Toms Biggs is definitely one of the better hitters I have faced through my high school career. His ability to us his power to both sides of the field, makes him pretty tough to pitch too.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Wilhite: I don't believe I have reached elite status. But I'm working to develop my craft to be able to reach that point. I became serious about being able to play at the next level around my freshman year.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Wilhite: I was looking for a place that felt like home, put me in the best position to make that step past collegiate baseball, and of course being able to surround myself with people that not only wanted me to succeed in pitching but succeed in life and push me to be the best man I can be .

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Wilhite: I believe my competitiveness, on and off the field, helps push those around me too reach our max abilities.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Wilhite: I would say there is work to be done, and improvement to be made in every facet of my game, not just one specific area.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Wilhite: I'd say if you are willing to put the work and want to create opportunities for yourself from a recruiting stand point, getting involved with PBR and playing with the Louisiana Knights have played big roles in helping me get to the point in my career that I find myself now.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Wilhite: I like to lift, focusing on my core, and getting as much get as agility work in as I can. I also go to a weighted ball program by Drive Line that really helps with arm care.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Wilhite: It’s hard to choose one specific thing, because there are so many things to love with LSU. But, the respect and admiration I have for Coach Dunn’s is willingness and knowledge to help my career progress going forward, was certainly a big reason.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Wilhite: At the end of the summer my final four schools were Southern Cal, Houston, Louisiana Tech, and LSU.

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