Texas Rangers Draft Paralyzed Baseball Player

June 9, 2011 2:23 pm |Posted In: MLB | Written by: Dan Evon +

More Info: , johnathan taylor, MLB draft, paralyzed, paralyzed baseball, Texas Rangers

Johnathan Taylor was a top prospect for this year’s draft, but an accident a few months ago left Taylor paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his injury, the Texas Rangers decided to draft the Georgia Bulldog player in the 33rd round of the MLB amateur draft.

Kip Fagg, the Rangers’ director of amateur scouting, said:

“He’s a great kid and he’s going through a terrible time in his life and we thought this would be something to uplift him. I’ve seen the kid play since high school, he was a great player at Georgia.”

Taylor is currently in rehab, and although he is showing improvements, the chances of him playing in the Majors are slim. Taylor was paralyzed after an accident on March 6th when he collided with fellow outfielder Zach Cone.

Georgia coach David Perno said in a statement released by the school:

“This was truly a classy move and a great gesture on the part of the Texas Rangers organization. J.T. is definitely a player worthy of getting drafted. He’s been a big part of our program, and we are all very excited for him. When I talked to him after he got the call, he was in the middle of his rehabilitation work, laughing and having a good time and was thrilled to be drafted.”

The Rangers also picked another Bulldog during the draft. Zach Cone, one of Taylor’s best friends, was the 37th pick of the draft.

[Source: ESPN, Total Pro Sports]

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