PECOS, Texas - Stillman College alumnus Bilal Whittle has signed a professional baseball contract in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs to play outfield for the Pecos Bills. He reported to the team June 2. 

"I am truly grateful to continue playing baseball. I honestly didn't think I would get this far with so much that happened to me baseball wise with season-ending injuries," Whittle said. "I'm excited about the opportunity that I have in front of me."

Whittle, a native of the Atlanta area, started four seasons in centerfield for the Stillman Tigers from 2020 to 2023. He started 98 of 113 games played, with 81 runs scored and 37 RBI. He hit .229 for his career and had 44 walks and was hit by pitch 16 times. He stole 36 bases and had a .968 career fielding percentage, recording 203 putouts. 

In 2023, despite having injuries that took him out of the starting lineup, Whittle remained a part of the team as a courtesy runner and led the Tigers with 30 runs scored. He was honored by the Southern States Athletic Conference in February 2022 as the SSAC Player of the Week after hitting .692 and slugging 1.077 with five RBI in a 3-2 week against non-conference opponents. 

Whittle said the journey back to playing baseball has largely been showcases, tryouts and grind. He hopes to play as long as he can before turning towards coaching a travel team and training the next generation of players.

"My future goal with this sport is to be able to take everything I learned from playing and having great coaches, and turn it to the kids that I train, and hopefully scout, once baseball is done," Whittle said.