Whatley begins his first season with the Ducks and fourth in professional baseball. He began the season with the Missoula Paddleheads of the Pioneer League, hitting .296 with two homers, 17 RBIs, 25 runs, 37 hits, nine doubles and a triple in 34 games. The Washington native appeared in six games with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Atlantic League) and 31 with the Quebec Capitales (Frontier League) in 2021. The 27-year-old began his career in 2018 with the East Side Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore League. He then split 2018 and 2019 with East Side and the Florence Freedom (Frontier). Whatley played his collegiate baseball at Wright State University.