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Pitcher Kyle Whitten quite nearly turned into one of the more improbable success stories in the Tampa Bay Rays’ history of player development.
Undrafted out of the University of Virginia in 2021, Whitten rose the minor league ranks over the next three years to reach the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate. Whitten, a right-hander, had a 4.32 ERA in 11 appearances out of the Durham Bulls’ bullpen in 2024.
MORE: Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Dodgers’ Mookie Betts to join Hall of Famers on unique livestream
That — and one spring training appearance in 2023 — was as close as Whitten would come to a big league mound. In a post to his Instagram account June 3, Whitten announced he was retiring from professional baseball.
“I thank God everyday for the fact that I got to play this game until the age of 27,” Whitten wrote. “I’m officially announcing my retirement from the game of baseball. I’ve made so many memories and friends along the way that I will carry with me for the rest of my life
”
Whitten’s 2024 season ended early because of an elbow injury that required surgery. The ensuing recovery wiped out his entire 2025 campaign.
MORE: Former Phillies prospect, 28, retires less than one month after release by Mets
When he returned in 2026, the Rays assigned Whitten to Double-A Montgomery. It did not go well.
In eight games (one start) with the Biscuits, Whitten allowed 13 runs (10 earned) across 9.1 innings. His 9.64 ERA was not enough to overcome 13 strikeouts and a 2-0 record. The Rays released him from his minor league contract May 11.
In a follow-up post on June 4, Whitten announced his new role as the director of pitching for Colangelo Baseball & Stars Baseball, a Virginia-based youth program.
MORE: MLB first-round draft pick, 26, retires immediately to play college football
Overall, Whitten went 14-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 113 minor league games.
A native of Manassas, Virginia, Whitten signed with the Rays as an undrafted free agent. In his senior season with the Commodores, Whitten went 0-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 27 relief appearances.
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Undrafted out of the University of Virginia in 2021, Whitten rose the minor league ranks over the next three years to reach the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate. Whitten, a right-hander, had a 4.32 ERA in 11 appearances out of the Durham Bulls’ bullpen in 2024.
MORE: Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Dodgers’ Mookie Betts to join Hall of Famers on unique livestream
That — and one spring training appearance in 2023 — was as close as Whitten would come to a big league mound. In a post to his Instagram account June 3, Whitten announced he was retiring from professional baseball.
“I thank God everyday for the fact that I got to play this game until the age of 27,” Whitten wrote. “I’m officially announcing my retirement from the game of baseball. I’ve made so many memories and friends along the way that I will carry with me for the rest of my life
”Whitten’s 2024 season ended early because of an elbow injury that required surgery. The ensuing recovery wiped out his entire 2025 campaign.
MORE: Former Phillies prospect, 28, retires less than one month after release by Mets
When he returned in 2026, the Rays assigned Whitten to Double-A Montgomery. It did not go well.
In eight games (one start) with the Biscuits, Whitten allowed 13 runs (10 earned) across 9.1 innings. His 9.64 ERA was not enough to overcome 13 strikeouts and a 2-0 record. The Rays released him from his minor league contract May 11.
In a follow-up post on June 4, Whitten announced his new role as the director of pitching for Colangelo Baseball & Stars Baseball, a Virginia-based youth program.
MORE: MLB first-round draft pick, 26, retires immediately to play college football
Overall, Whitten went 14-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 113 minor league games.
A native of Manassas, Virginia, Whitten signed with the Rays as an undrafted free agent. In his senior season with the Commodores, Whitten went 0-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 27 relief appearances.
Continue reading...
