Whitson signs baseball scholarship with UF

CHIPLEY – Karsten Whitson is on his way to the University of Florida. The right-hander signed his papers Friday afternoon at the Chipley High School Media Center surrounded by family and friends.

Whitson is a senior at Chipley High School and a member of several all-star teams, including AFFLAC, Dothan Post 12 American Legion, Under Armour and the Pan-American 18U National Team that recently won the gold medal in Venezuela. In his one start at the Pan Am Whitson went 5 innings and struck out 9 Columbians.

Whitson and his parents, Kent and Melissa, and sister Kyndal moved to Chipley from Bartow two years ago. Whitson’s varsity record as a pitcher at Chipley is as follows:

•2008: 13 games, 49.1 innings pitched, 37 runs given up (24 earned), 46 hits, 20 walks, 49 strikeouts, 5-3 record, 3.41 earned run average on a 17-10 team.

•2009: 14 games, 42.1innings pitched, 29 runs (9 earned), 25 hits, 36 walks, 73 strikeouts, 6-4 record, 1.49 ERA on an 18-7 team.

Among the tournaments Whitson participated in was the 17th Annual Tournament of Stars, presented by Major League Baseball, at USAB's National Training Complex in Cary. His coach at that tournament was Chipley High School Coach Andy Compton

Whitson also participated in the Under Armor Classic last summer at Wrigley Field in Chicago prior to tryouts for the Pan Am team.

Compton has coached Whitson in high school and has been head coach of the Dixie National team for three years. He said Whitson fit in well with the other top players trying out for the Pan Am team.

 “This year’s group had several that could be number one picks,” Compton said. “Getting picked for this is an honor in itself.”

Whitson is considered a sure draft pick in the upcoming Major League amateur draft, but for now his only plans are to play for Florida. “My parents both went there,” said Whiton.

“I’m not sure the scholarship would give me any leverage to get drafted,” Whitson said. “I’m just concentrating on getting ready for college.”