Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Kendall George injured his left knee on Monday night. League sources reported he landed awkwardly when he tried to avoid the bat dog for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.
George, the Dodgers’ 2023 first-round pick, underwent imaging on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury. A source said initial testing on the knee was not that optimistic. The organisation is still awaiting the official results.
How the Injury Happened
George came around to score on a Josue De Paula single in the second inning of Monday’s 14-8 Tulsa victory. The bat dog came by him to retrieve De Paula’s bat. George was forced to jump out of the way and landed awkwardly on his left leg.
Footage of the game showed George hobbling back to the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration.
He appeared to be limping and was removed from the game after he tried to avoid a collision with the bat dog.
George’s Performance and Potential
The center fielder has been one of several bright spots amongst a deep collection of Dodgers outfield prospects. Through his first 43 games at the Double-A level, George hit .333 with an OPS of .814.
One year after he swiped 100 bases with High-A Great Lakes, George already had 26 steals and was caught just three times to start the year with the Drillers.
- George has elite speed.
- He has slugged just four home runs in 268 games in professional baseball.
- George ranked 13th among Keith Law’s list of Dodgers prospects during spring training.
Law compared him to Rays outfielder and speedster Chandler Simpson.
The injury could be a devastating blow for a prospect who made massive strides with his contact rate this season. He had accelerated his own major-league timeline in the process.