2021 / AS A FRESHMAN
• Pitched in six games, all in relief
• Purdue's only true freshman pitcher to make his collegiate debut during the season-opening series vs. Nebraska
• Also took the mound vs. Rutgers, Michigan State, Illinois, Ohio State and Minnesota
• Worked a scoreless inning of relief int he series opener at Ohio State
• Recorded his first strikeout in the win at Michigan State
• Retired the only batter he faced to close the game 2 win at Minnesota
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played for coach Buddy Dice at Hudson High School, located between Cleveland and Akron in Northeast Ohio
• Set a state record with 10 saves as a junior
• Racked up 33 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings while allowing only one run as a junior
• First-team All-Suburban League and all-district performer during his breakout season, helping Hudson win a sectional title
• Also played for the Ohio Longhorns club team for five years
• Four-year distinguished honor roll student
• National Honor Society
PERSONAL
• Major: Organizational Leadership
• Full name is Joseph Daniel Whitman
• Born in Akron, Ohio
• Parents are Daniel and Gretchen Whitman
• Family also includes siblings Amanda and Jack
• Dad is a Purdue alumnus
• Mom is a professor of education at Wisconsin-River Falls
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Cleveland Browns
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite Athlete: Baker Mayfield
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Daniel Whitman, Father
Favorite Marquee Sporting Event: March Madness NCAA Tournament
Favorite Pro Stadium: Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played At (Besides Alexander): Akron's Canal Park
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Skyler Hunter
Current MLB Hitter He'd Like to Face: Juan Soto
Funniest Teammate: Jackson Smeltz
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Curtis Washington Jr.
Purdue Staff Member He has Strongest Connection With: Ross Learnard
Celebrity Crush: Madelyn Cline
Podcast He Subscribes To: Dude Perfect
In His Favorite Playlist: Lil Baby
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Luke Combs
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney+
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Star Wars
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Favorite Video Game: Spider-Man on PS4
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Pick One -- Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Fried Chicken
Favorite Dessert: Sister Amanda's Carrot Cake
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golfing
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Brees Center
Favorite Big City: Rome
Unique Travel Locale: Egypt
Country He'd Like to Visit: Japan
Pick One for a Trip -- Beaches or Mountains: Mountains
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Avery Cooks as Spider-Man
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Mound
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning Rec Basketball Championship
• Pitched in six games, all in relief
• Purdue's only true freshman pitcher to make his collegiate debut during the season-opening series vs. Nebraska
• Also took the mound vs. Rutgers, Michigan State, Illinois, Ohio State and Minnesota
• Worked a scoreless inning of relief int he series opener at Ohio State
• Recorded his first strikeout in the win at Michigan State
• Retired the only batter he faced to close the game 2 win at Minnesota
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played for coach Buddy Dice at Hudson High School, located between Cleveland and Akron in Northeast Ohio
• Set a state record with 10 saves as a junior
• Racked up 33 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings while allowing only one run as a junior
• First-team All-Suburban League and all-district performer during his breakout season, helping Hudson win a sectional title
• Also played for the Ohio Longhorns club team for five years
• Four-year distinguished honor roll student
• National Honor Society
PERSONAL
• Major: Organizational Leadership
• Full name is Joseph Daniel Whitman
• Born in Akron, Ohio
• Parents are Daniel and Gretchen Whitman
• Family also includes siblings Amanda and Jack
• Dad is a Purdue alumnus
• Mom is a professor of education at Wisconsin-River Falls
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Cleveland Browns
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite Athlete: Baker Mayfield
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Daniel Whitman, Father
Favorite Marquee Sporting Event: March Madness NCAA Tournament
Favorite Pro Stadium: Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played At (Besides Alexander): Akron's Canal Park
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Skyler Hunter
Current MLB Hitter He'd Like to Face: Juan Soto
Funniest Teammate: Jackson Smeltz
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Curtis Washington Jr.
Purdue Staff Member He has Strongest Connection With: Ross Learnard
Celebrity Crush: Madelyn Cline
Podcast He Subscribes To: Dude Perfect
In His Favorite Playlist: Lil Baby
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Luke Combs
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney+
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Star Wars
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Favorite Video Game: Spider-Man on PS4
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Pick One -- Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Fried Chicken
Favorite Dessert: Sister Amanda's Carrot Cake
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golfing
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Brees Center
Favorite Big City: Rome
Unique Travel Locale: Egypt
Country He'd Like to Visit: Japan
Pick One for a Trip -- Beaches or Mountains: Mountains
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Avery Cooks as Spider-Man
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Mound
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning Rec Basketball Championship