Texas Rangers Draft Paralyzed Baseball Player

University of Georgia baseball player Johnathan Taylor was partially paralyzed in March, but that didn’t stop the Texas Rangers from drafting him. “We thought selecting Johnathan was the right thing to do,” says the scouting director of yesterday’s move. Taylor, who was drafted in the 33rd round of the MLB draft, has been unable to walk since colliding with teammate and friend Zach Cone in the outfield March 6. Cone has also been drafted by the Rangers, CNN reports.

“We would have drafted [Taylor] either way, regardless of any other circumstances involving his injury or Zach’s draft status,” the scouting director continues. “The club has always liked his passion and ability as a player.” Taylor, who fractured vertebrae in his neck and bruised his spinal cord in the accident, told ESPN.com last month that he intends to return to the baseball field, but that site reported that full recoveries from such injuries are rare. (More paralysis stories.)