Tuesday was not a good day for the Athletics’ farm system.
Two of the their top prospects, infielder Leo De Vries and pitcher Jamie Arnold, are out indefinitely with injuries.
The team announced that De Vries, baseball’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, will undergo surgery on his right shoulder next week in Arlington, Texas. De Vries reportedly will be sidelined about eight months.
The 19-year-old, who was acquired last season when the A’s traded closer Mason Miller to San Diego, was hitting .290 with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 34 stolen bases at Double-A Midland, Texas.
Arnold, drafted 11th overall last year out of Florida State, took a line drive to his face Tuesday night while pitching for the Triple-A Aviators. He has fractures to his intra-orbital and maxillary sinus. Arnold was promoted Sept. 1 and is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA.
Making his first start at Las Vegas Ballpark, Arnold was struck in the head three batters into the game. He immediately threw his glove to the mound and walked off the mound under his own power, quickly greeted by the team trainer.
“Considering he took a ball to the face at 107mph, he’s doing well,” Arnold’s mother, Dawn, posted on social media. “Has a few broken bones on his left side cheek and a corneal abrasion, but could’ve been so much worse.”
Both players are expected to be a core part of the Athletics when they move into their new stadium on the Strip.
