Former top prospect Forrest Whitley opens up on ’embarrassing’ journey with Astros

HOUSTON — Last month, Forrest Whitley’s left knee buckled before a game of catch at Kauffman Stadium. Swelling and scans ensued, sending Whitley into a spiral. His star-crossed career is a case study in setbacks, one of his own doing and a deluge of others beyond his control.

Coping with them can be complicated. At first, Whitley didn’t know how, the byproduct of being an 18-year-old wunderkind with a $3.148 million signing bonus and a blessed amateur baseball career. First-round picks seldom arrive with any experience navigating adversity and emotions, and when hardships arrive, feelings can vary.

“The honest answer to that is it’s embarrassing,” Whitley said this week.

Now, after nine years of never-ending misfortune, Whitley is nearing a place of peace. Maturation and marriage have helped. Whitley’s wife, Courtney, has been a constant companion since his professional career began. She “knows the key words, key phrases, the key things to do to calm me down,” he said. “And she has pretty much nailed everything since we’ve been together.”

One of Courtney’s most common refrains to her husband: “Bear down, break through it, take it day by day, hour by hour.”

“Otherwise, give up the game,” Whitley said. “That was just never an option for me. Still…