Dbacks Pick Druw Jones #2 Overall

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Diamondbacks top draft pick Druw Jones could miss rest of year with shoulder injury​



Druw Jones, the prep phenom drafted No. 2 overall earlier this month by the Diamondbacks, suffered a shoulder injury during his first batting practice session with the organization Monday and may not play the rest of the year. It has not been determined whether he will require surgery.

“It seems like he will be out for a little while,” said Diamondbacks farm director Josh Barfield.

Jones, the son of five-time All-Star center fielder Andruw Jones, was considered by many to be the top talent in the draft. He signed last week for a slot-value bonus of $8.19 million, a record for a high school player that was quickly eclipsed by No. 1 pick Jackson Holliday. The team introduced Jones over the weekend at Chase Field.

The 18-year-old Jones has already undergone medical imaging and will meet with Phoenix-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary Waslewski on Wednesday to determine the next course of action. Barfield said “it’s too early to say” whether Jones will be ready for the start of spring training next year.

Jones’ injury continues an odd trend of shoulder ailments suffered by Arizona’s first-round position players. Last year, No. 6 pick Jordan Lawlar played only two professional games before hurting his shoulder while diving for a ball, necessitating season-ending surgery. Earlier the same year, Corbin Carroll – the team’s top prospect and the No. 16 pick in the 2019 draft – tore his shoulder muscles hitting a home run in the first week of the season.

Both Lawlar and Carroll have come back strong – they represented the Diamondbacks at the Futures Game earlier in July – and there’s no reason so far to suspect that Jones’ development will be meaningfully altered by his injury. But it is a disappointment for the young outfielder and for the Diamondbacks, who were excited to see him in action as a professional.

“This is something that is not going to significantly impact his career,” Barfield said. “But in the short term, you feel for the kid.”

:bang: *sigh*
 
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