Heath Whitlock poses dual-threat potential for Diamond Dawgs
Very few players in the 2024 signing class have been locked in with Mississippi State as long as Heath Whitlock.
Among the signees, only Dante Nori, Conrad Cason and Henry Allen were committed first. The Georgia two-way standout began being recruited by State’s coaches during COVID-19 and his camp shortly after the Bulldogs’ National Championship run would seal the deal for both sides making him a Bulldog.
“I went to a camp and got to see the field. Once I saw the field and the facilities, I knew that was the place to be,” Whitlock said. “The coaches are amazing and everything you could ask for. That’s where my heart wanted to go, and I don’t really change up much once my decision is made. It was just a good deal once I saw everything there.”
Over the years, Whitlock has grown into an interesting prospect. He’s an outfielder when he’s not pitching but has shown some serious pop from the left side.
As a senior, Whitlock was his Region’s Player of the Year as well as the Class 4A Player of the Year in the state of Georgia. He earned All-State honors after batting .413 with nine home runs and having an incredible 0.70 ERA on the mound.
What mattered the most to the talented athlete, however, was his team’s success. After being a part of a state title as a freshman, he and his classmates left their own mark with a championship for Starrs Mill in 2024.
“I felt like it went the best it could possibly go and the best that I could ask for,” Whitlock said of his senior season. “Winning state was fun with a bunch of players that I’ve spent a lot of time playing ball with over the years. Our lineup was really good with nine D1 commits. We won my freshman year and that senior class had nine D1 guys and that paved the way for our class.”
Whitlock’s pitching potential growing
In Starkville, Whitlock’s role has not yet been determined. He was recruited first as an outfielder but his prowess on the mound has made him a potential two-way star for the Bulldogs.
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Whitlock has some strong potential in his bat as a left handed hitter but his fastball is climbing into the 90s with some pitchability. Whitlock is sitting 88-91 with his fastball and calls his curveball his best pitch with a changeup in there as well.
After encountering an arm injury back in the fall, Whitlock has rounded back into form and feels like his pitching is becoming a major strength. It’s had Justin Parker and head coach Chris Lemonis believing that he can help State on the mound early in his career.
“I’m coming in more as a pitcher but they believe I could play both,” Whitlock said of the State coaches. “I took some time off after state and just got back to throwing. I just have to come in and do everything at 110%. When I get a chance, I want to make the best of it and have fun.”
Whitlock hopes to be able to have fun with all of his freshmen classmates.
The draft is on the way and players like fellow Georgian Conrad Cason and Michigan’s Dante Nori are players to watch. If the group is mostly intact, they can help State right away next season.
“I think we’re going to be really good,” Whitlock said of the State signing class. “We have a couple of guys that could go to the draft, but even without those guys it will be a good group. When we went on our official visit, we all just had a really good bond with each other and I’m looking forward to getting to play with those guys.”
