The Blackfoot Dax Whitney, a former standout for the Blackfoot High and Idaho Falls Bandits, has had a busy summer.
And he hasn’t finished yet.
The Oregon State freshman, who began the first game against Louisville and allowed just three hits while striking out nine in five and a third innings, helped lead his team to the College World Series.
Whitney has also received other postseason accolades, like as Perfect Game and Baseball America’s First-Team Freshman All-American designations. After finishing 6-3 with a 3.40 ERA and striking out 120 batters in 76 2/3 innings, he was chosen as a second-team All-American by the National College Baseball Writers Association.
“Being a Friday starter and making an immediate impact on the mound despite being a freshman was one of my goals,” Whitney stated.
The World Series and the Supers Friday was a great day for me because I started on that day. That was my first objective, and I achieved it at the crucial moment, so that was fairly awesome.
Whitney stated his involvement in the program helped him get ready for the collegiate game. Whitney attended the Bandits American Legion doubleheader on Tuesday.
He claimed that when I arrived, I felt as prepared as anyone. I felt as though I had been there before when I was pitching in a World Series, State, or Regional game.
Despite the fact that Oregon State is among the best collegiate schools in the nation, Whitney claimed he was up to the task.
“No one there treated me like a freshman when I first arrived in the fall,” he added. Everyone was quite friendly and appreciative of my presence as they thought I might give them a chance to win. At that level, that is all that matters to us.
By the end of the season, the rookie was throwing his best and had advanced to the position of No. 1 starter.
Playing on the collegiate USA team was another objective, according to Whitney.
When he and Oregon State teammate Ethan Kleinschmit represent Team USA at the Collegiate National Team training camp in North Carolina starting next week, he will have that opportunity. He will travel to Japan with Team USA if he is selected for the final squad. On July 4, the final roster will be revealed.
Starting on Sunday, 56 players who are not eligible for the draft will compete in a five-game intrasquad series in North Carolina.
The 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series will feature the last squad. It starts in Hokkaido, Japan, on July 8 and ends in Tokyo on July 13.
Regarding what lies ahead after this summer, Whitney stated that he is eager to rejoin Oregon State, which is anticipated to make another postseason appearance in 2026.
