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Tournaments  | Story  | 5/30/2024

Whitney Continues to Soar Up Boards

Lauren Nunez     
Photo: Dax Whitney (Perfect Game)
Senior right-hander and Oregon State commit Dax Whitney has accomplished plenty of success in his baseball career while living in his small town home. Native to Blackfoot, Idaho, Whitney has grown up surrounded by the love for baseball, starting with his father who also grew up playing the sport similar to him. Not only did they form a stronger connection together as father and son, but also created many other life-long bonds for Whitney which makes him want to follow baseball for the rest of his life. “The brotherhoods that I've made throughout playing the game just makes me want to keep playing it as long as I possibly can.”

Living in Blackfoot and not being very involved in high school or other local events, Whitney was concerned about his recruiting process and not being available to bed discovered. Thankfully, with the help of his coach Ryan Alexander, the founder of his team (the Idaho Falls Bandits), he was able to fall in love and commit to the Beavers. “At the start of my recruiting process, I was honestly worried. Like, I'm in a small town, I'm not gonna get recruited as much. But the truth of that is, if you’re good enough, people will come find you.”



Now on a new path to what’s seen as an even brighter future, he looks back on his journey and how he’s got to where he is today. Through all the mental and physical struggles, Whitney credits his father and his coach for being the major mentors in his life and his career. “My dad, for sure, is my biggest one. He’s helped me through everything, sacrificed a lot for me. My coach right now, he’s taught me mostly everything I know about baseball and how to play it the right way.”

Being part of the Bandits, Whitney has been able to continually grow. One season he looks back on as one of his finest was in 2022. “My 2022 season, I played for the same team I'm playing for now. That whole year was just a ride for me. That’s the best experience I’ve ever had in baseball.”

Looking at his stats for that year in the West Memorial Day Classic, the only Perfect Game events he has participated in and the one he just finished playing in this past weekend, you can see how much stronger of a pitcher he’s become. In 2022, he had a 83-88 mph fastball with a 79 mph slider, a 70 mph curveball, and a 77 mph changeup. As of now, his range consists of a 92-95 fastball, 82-84 mph slider, 80-81 mph changeup, and a 77-78 curveball and he came away with the MVPitcher award this past weekend and a championship title with the Bandits in 18U.

As a potential high round pick in the draft and a bright future as a potential Beaver, Whitney carries on plenty of excitement and nerve as he steps into his new life. But having the support behind him and his own reminder to stay focused, he couldn’t be more prepared for the expedition ahead.

“It’s definitely nerve-wracking in a way,” Whitney said. “I have some big decisions to make soon. I’m just happy that I get the opportunity to play baseball at the next level, no matter what happens, so I’m definitely very grateful for that.”
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