Dax Whitney's dominant 2026 season has come to a halt, as the Oregon State right-hander is set to undergo UCL surgery, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Jim Callis.
Whitney, the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in 2027, could return to the mound before next year's Draft, but his recovery timeline will be dependent upon whether he requires Tommy John surgery or the less invasive internal brace procedure.
2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express
July 11-12:
The 6-foot-5 sophomore held opponents to a .185 batting average while striking out 104 over 63 innings this spring, going 6-1 with a 2.00 ERA. His 14.86 K-per-nine-innings rate is fourth best among qualified Division 1 pitchers. His lively fastball has been clocked as high as 101 mph, and he features three solid secondary pitches.
Coming out of an Idaho high school in 2024, Whitney was already ranked the No. 56 Draft prospect in the country. His fastball was already sitting in the 90s, and even then, he stood out for his feel for pitching and projectability.