Phillies Prospect Loses Right Eye In Freak Accident

By Mike Axisa/CBSSports.com

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitching prospect Matt Imhof has lost his right eye as a result of a freak accident at the ballpark. A resistance band mounted to the wall broke off and hit Imhof in the face.

Imhof posted the news about his eye on Instagram.

Imhof wrote, “It was decided that the best chance I had to live a normal life was to have my right eye removed and have a prosthetic one put in. This decision was not an easy one to make but to me it seemed like the right one so I went forward with the surgery.  This has been the hardest week of my life but I’ve had amazing support from my family and friends to help me get through it. For those who have been wishing me well, your support has not gone unnoticed and I appreciate everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers. I had the best doctors in the world doing their best work on me and for that I am grateful as well. Although this injury has been tough it could have been much worse…I’m lucky to still have vision in my left eye…I’m lucky that i didn’t have brain damage…and I’m lucky to be surrounded my the most loving and understanding people in the world. I just wanted to write this message to let everyone know that even though I suffered some bad luck, I’m not dead. I’m gonna be alright, I’m gonna persevere, and I’m gonna succeed. It takes more than this to bring me down. Again thanks to everyone for the support.”

The Phillies selected the 22-year-old Imhof out of Cal Poly with the 47th-overall pick in the 2014 draft. He received a $1.19 million signing bonus. MLB.com ranked Imhof as the 19th-best prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system prior to last season.