Texas Rangers Draft Paralyzed Outfielder

The Texas Rangers made a surprising choice for their 33rd-round draft pick today. As the baseball team selected its players for next season, it chose Jonathan Taylor, a paralyzed outfielder from the University of Georgia. About three months ago Taylor suffered a spinal injury in a collision with teammate Zach Cone, who was also picked up by the Rangers today. Hardball Talk thinks this might have something to do with the selection:

Taylor fractured two vertebrae in his spine in a collision with teammate Zach Cone three months ago.  Cone was the Rangers' second-round pick, and it looks like the team decided it'd be a nice gesture to select Taylor afterwards.

The paralysis has affected all of Taylor's extremities, so he is considered a tetraplegic.  He has some use of his arms, but no feeling in his legs or fingers.  Still, he is able to use his hands again and even play video games.  Since his spinal cord wasn't severed, the hope is that his condition will continue improve with time.

Read the full story at Hardball Talk.