Arizona Diamondbacks' 2022 first-round pick Druw Jones hurts shoulder two days after turning pro
Arizona Diamondbacks top pick Druw Jones hurt his left shoulder on his first day of work at Salt River Fields and will miss the rest of the season, farm director Josh Barfield said.
Jones suffered the injury on Monday, two days after finalizing an $8.19 million deal with the Diamondbacks, who selected him with the second overall pick the previous weekend.
“He was just taking (batting practice) and took a regular round of BP and felt something in his shoulder on his second-to-last swing,” Barfield said.
Jones already underwent an MRI and will visit with team physician Dr. Gary Waslewski on Wednesday, Barfield said. It is possible Jones will require surgery; if he does it could put his availability for the start of next season in question depending on the severity of the procedure.
Jones’ injury was first reported by The Athletic.
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After signing his contract on Saturday, Jones put on an impressive performance during batting practice and shagged fly balls with the major league team.
“He had just gotten an MRI a couple of days before when we were going through all the contract stuff,” Barfield said. “Everything presented clear. So this is just, unfortunately, bad luck — again.”
That’s because Jones is the third highly regarded Diamondbacks prospect to suffer a significant shoulder injury. In May 2021, outfielder Corbin Carroll suffered tears in the labrum and posterior capsule of his right shoulder. Three months later, shortstop Jordan Lawlar also suffered a labrum injury during an Arizona Complex League game.
Both needed surgery, but both returned by the start of this year’s minor league season.
“The injuries didn’t change their timetables and both were performing at a really high level the next year,” Barfield said. “Hopefully it’ll be the same (with Jones).”
Barfield said he planned to put Jones in touch with both Carroll and Lawlar so the two older players could offer guidance and support.
Jones, 18, the son of former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones, is viewed as a potential five-tool player, a center fielder whom the Diamondbacks considered to be the top talent available in this year’s draft. They selected him out of a Georgia high school after the Baltimore Orioles took Jackson Holliday with the No. 1 overall pick.
Jones had been working out at a minicamp at Salt River Fields with other recently drafted players. He was expected to begin his career in the coming days in the Arizona Complex League.
Follow Nick Piecoro on Twitter @nickpiecoro.