Padres Select RHP Karsten Whitson with 9th Overall Pick

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The San Diego Padres today selected right-handed pitcher Karsten Whitson out of Chipley High School (Fla.) with the ninth overall pick on the first day of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft. Vice President/Assistant General Manager Jason McLeod made the announcement.

Recommended by Padres scout David Francia, Whitson went 7-3 with a 0.62 ERA, 123 strikeouts in 55 innings against 15 walks and 16 hits allowed for Chipley High School in his senior year. The 18-year-old also played in the Aflac All-American Game last year at PETCO Park and for the 18-under Team USA last summer that won a gold medal at the Pan American Junior Championship in Venezuela.

"Karsten meets the criteria we look for in a high school pitcher in terms of size, strength, fastball quality, command and competitiveness to go along with solid makeup and strong character," said McLeod.

Whitson becomes the first high school pitcher taken by San Diego with their first pick since Mark Phillips in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He is also just the second high school pitcher selected by the Padres with their first pick since 1987, with the only other being Robbie Beckett in 1990.

"We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to add Karsten to our organization and watch him work towards his potential," said Director of Scouting Jaron Madison.

The 50-round draft continues tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. PT with rounds 2-30 and concludes on Wednesday with rounds 31-50.