Manatee signs Gators pitcher

LAND O'LAKES -- Philip Whitten, who won 11 games for Land O'Lakes over the past two seasons, accepted a scholarship to Manatee Community College.

"This has really been an answer to my prayers," said Whitten, who went 5-5 as a senior, striking out 69 batters in 50 innings. "This is something I've worked my whole life for."

Whitten said he had considered attending the University of Tampa, where his brother, Andy, is a junior on the baseball team, but he was impressed by the MCC's interest.

MCC sent a coach to watch Whitten against Gulf, and he impressed by striking out 13 batters in a six-inning complete game. That weekend, he got a letter from coach Tim Hill, inviting him to visit the campus and watch a game. MCC offered a scholarship during the visit.

MCC, which is playing in the state tournament this week, has produced dozens of big-league players, including current Twins pitcher Joe Mays and former major-leaguers Jody Reed, Glenn Davis and Johnny Grubb.

If Whitten fares well, he'll have a chance to move on to a four-year program. He recently got a call from Jamey Shouppe, pitching coach at Florida State, who said he'd keep an eye on his progress.

"He said he was kind of glad I was going to Manatee, so that he can maybe talk to me in a few years and pick me up then," Whitten said.

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