Esmerlyn Valdez has emerged as one of the top hitting prospects in the Pirates organization this season, and was recently awarded a spot in the MLB Futures Game. Following the big event during the All-Star break, Valdez's return to Altoona took a very scary turn.
In the middle of Tuesday night's game, Valdez ran for a ball in foul territory and slid into the tarp along the first base side in front of the bullpen. He immediately yelled for help and was later taken off on a cart. Any injury that forces a player to leave the field in a vehicle is frightening, and the Pirates' fanbase thought the worst after hearing the initial news.