Diamondbacks "Pretty Optimistic" About Surgery Recovery Of No. 2 Overall Pick

He became the third top Arizona Diamondbacks prospect to suffer a major shoulder injury in the last two years. But the latest update on the No. 2 pick in the 2022 Draft, Druw Jones, is that he could be ready for the start of the minor league season. 

Per @nickpiecoro #Dbacks No. 2 prospect OF Druw Jones maybe ready "near the start" of the minor-league baseball season.

Jones, 19, underwent surgery last August to repair a posterior labral tear in his left shoulder.

Arizona selected Jones 2nd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.

— Arizona Diamondbacks - Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) February 25, 2023

Jones tore the posterior labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder last July, but is now said to be making "steady progress" and should be ready to kick off the MiLB season, said D-Backs general manager Mike Hazen.

“We’re feeling pretty optimistic about where we’re going to be,” Hazen said. 

Jones hurt his shoulder taking a swing just three days after signing his first professional contract, writes Nick Piecoroof the Arizona Republic.

The 19-year-old Jones's father is one of the great center fielders of recent generations, 10-time Gold Glovers Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves. He was also an iron man, playing at least 153 games in all of his eleven full seasons with Atlanta. So let's say that Druw has the good physical genes to make a quick recovery at his young age.

The 2022 first-rounder followed in the footsteps of previous D-Backs top picks, outfielder Corbin Carroll and shortstop Jordan Lawlar, who also both needed season-ending shoulder surgeries, back in 2021. Both have recovered nicely, and the same is certainly expected of Jones.

Photo: Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK