Player Spotlight: Tony Whitney (2027) Named to Sports Illustrated’s Top Offensive Players in Nevada

Pahrump Valley High School sophomore Tony Whitney (2027) was in the news recently after he was named one of the 10 best offensive players in the State of Nevada by Sports Illustrated. The Top Tier Las Vegas 17U player checked in at No. 7 on Sports Illustrated’s best offensive high school players in Nevada in late April. This week, he was featured in a story in the Pahrump Valley Times, highlighting his accomplishments and terrific sophomore campaign.

“Whitney is atop the state leaders in stolen bases (34) while averaging .357 with 30 hits, 35 runs, nine RBIs, and two triples in 28 games. Trojans have 20 wins this spring,” wrote SI’s Terek Fattal on April 29.

Since that Sports Illustrated story ran, Whitney has also stolen seven more bases, bringing his season total to 41, which ranks first in Nevada. On the year, Whitney is hitting .363 with six doubles, two triples, 11 RBI, and 37 runs scored at the top of Pahrump Valley’s varsity lineup. Whitney’s blazing performance on the basepaths comes one season after he received Second-Team All-State honors for his work at third base as a freshman for Pahrump Valley.

Jacob Powers/Pahrump Valley Times Tony Whitney rounds third base in midst to head home against Moapa Valley.

During his first two seasons at Parhump Valley, Whitney’s versatility has been on full display, playing third base last year, and second base this year, before likely transitioning to shortstop next season, a position he will play for Top Tier Las Vegas’ 17U squad this summer and fall, and one that his childhood idol Derek Jeter played.

Whitney possesses soft hands, smooth footwork in the infield, and a knack for getting on base and scoring at the plate. The two-way player also pitches, and while he’s still adding size and velocity to his fastball, his underlying metrics like spin rate and strike rate were among the best at the Prep Baseball Report Preseason ID at the UNLV campus in January.

Here’s what Prep Baseball Report Nevada’s Brett Harrison had to say about Whitney’s performance on the mound at that event:

“Compact, efficient delivery. Works down the more with conviction—drop and drive type. Lands slightly closed to the target. He finishes over his front side, with some fall to the glove side after release—present arm side life with flashes of heaviness. More velocity will come as he continues to add strength and size. T1585, 1520 average rpm. Natural sweep on his curveball with the help of his arm action. Present comfort with more to come as the pitch continues to gain sharpness. T1855, 1768 average rpm.”

Whitney was recently selected to participate in the Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Games at College of Southern Nevada later this month, an invitation-only event featuring the best high school baseball prospects in the state of Nevada. Whitney will be joined by fellow Pahrump Valley Trojan and Top Tier Las Vegas 17U outfielder Kayne Horibe (2026) at the event on May 27-28.

If Whitney’s deep bag of tools shines at the two-day event, featuring a combine-style workout and games featuring the state’s top prospects, he could be in line for an invitation to the prestigious Prep Baseball Report Futures Games, which annually features the best high school baseball prospects in the United States.

Regardless of Whitney’s performance later this month, his sophomore season can be considered nothing less than a massive success, His sophomore campaign and his time with Top Tier Las Vegas’ 17U team on the prospect circuit this summer and fall will undoubtedly have him firmly on the radars of college coaches before he begins his junior season at Pahrump Valley next spring.