Top Twins prospect Buxton suffers concussion after outfield collision
An injury-plagued season for Twins center field prospect Byron Buxton got even worse Wednesday night in New Britain, Conn.
Buxton, viewed as arguably the top prospect in baseball, collided with Double-A New Britain teammate Mike Kvasnicka during a play in the outfield in the fifth inning of the Rock Cats' game against Bowie. According to multiple reports, Buxton was unconscious for about 10 minutes before being taken off the field in an ambulance and driven to a local hospital.
Twins general manager Terry Ryan, who was in New Britain to see Buxton play in his first game at Double-A, told MiLB.com that Buxton suffered a concussion but no structural damage was found.
"He has a concussion, so we'll have to take the normal procedures and protocol for concussion symptoms. He'll certainly be watched," Ryan told MiLB.com. "We're grateful for just the concussion."
Minnesota took Buxton with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft as a prep outfielder from Georgia. He took baseball by storm in 2013, batting a combined .334 with 12 homers, 77 RBI and 55 stolen bases in 125 games between Low-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers.
Buxton, 20, was playing in his first game with New Britain after being promoted from High-A Fort Myers. The speedy outfielder likely would have began the season at Double-A if not for a wrist injury that sidelined him to start the season. In 30 games with Fort Myers before his promotion, Buxton hit .240 with 16 RBI and six stolen bases.
While Wednesday's injury was scary, it turned out to be less severe than initially believed. New Britain players reportedly gathered together to pray for Buxton, who seemingly can't catch a break this season.
"It has been that type of year," Ryan told MiLB.com. "But he is going to be fine. He is a battler."
Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter
