D-backs top pick Jones injures shoulder, likely done for year

PHOENIX -- The D-backs' first-round pick (second overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft, outfielder Druw Jones, injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder while taking batting practice Monday at the club's Salt River Fields facility.

"He was just taking BP," D-backs farm director Josh Barfield said. "It was his first workout, and he was in his last round of BP on the field. On his second to last swing he just felt something in his shoulder. It didn’t take him to his knees or anything like that, he just said he felt something."

Jones, in fact, was going to proceed to the outfield to do his defensive work, but the D-backs decided to take the cautious route and immediately sent him for an MRI, which showed the injury.

Jones will see team physician Gary Waslewski on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury and what the next steps will be.

It's possible that Jones will need surgery, but that won't be known for sure until he's seen by Waslewski. Regardless, it appears that Jones will not play again this year.

"He's an impressive kid, and obviously this is pretty crushing news, but he took it as well as you can," Barfield said. "He was just asking what's next, what's it look like."

Jones finalized his $8.19 million deal with the D-backs on Saturday and was at Chase Field that night, where he put on an impressive batting practice display. As part of the signing process, Jones underwent an MRI on the shoulder, which Barfield said was "clean," so Monday's injury was just a fluke.

Monday was Jones' first workout at the team's Spring Training complex, and the plan at that time was to ease him into Arizona Complex League games this week.

This is the third time a D-backs first-round pick has suffered a significant shoulder injury in the past year and a half.

Outfielder Corbin Carroll, the team's first-round pick in 2019 and current top prospect, suffered a shoulder injury during the first week of the Minor League season in 2021 and had season-ending surgery.

Then in August, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, the team's first pick in the 2021 Draft and No. 2 prospect, suffered a labrum injury during an ACL game and also required season-ending surgery.

The good news for Jones and the D-backs is that both Carroll and Lawlar returned in time for the start of the 2022 season, and both are having outstanding years.