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Prospect Whitley learns importance of persistence

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Forrest Whitley was planning for his high school prom this time a year ago. Since then, he's been drafted in the first round by the Astros out of San Antonio Alamo Heights High School, received a $3.148 million bonus and learned life in the professional ranks can be full of challenges.

Being away from home for the first time -- and having to spend part of his summer in Kissimmee, Fla., and Greeneville, Tenn. -- was one thing. Learning how to get professional hitters out was another.

Whitley, taken with the No.