Top Prospect Ryan Westmoreland to Have Brain Surgery

By KC Downey in Featured, News, Red Sox ⋅ March 14, 2010 at 1:47am ⋅ Post a comment

Ryan Westmoreland (Image from mlblogs.com)

Top prospect Ryan Westmoreland, 19, is set to undergo brain surgery on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a cavernous malformation. According to the AP: “A cavernous malformation of cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal or dilated blood vessels that effects the central nervous system. Symptoms can include bleeding in the brain, seizures and headaches.”

“The entire Red Sox organization stands in support of Ryan as he courageously deals with this issue,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. “Ryan is a remarkable kid and a talented player, and we understand that many will be concerned about his health. He is getting the best medical attention the world has to offer, and we will have more information soon. Until then — out of respect for Ryan’s privacy and at the request of the Westmoreland family — we will not have any further comment.”

The team drafted Westmoreland in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He was named the No. 1 Red Sox prospect by Baseball America.

Analysis

I’m no doctor, but any type of brain surgery is serious in my book. While the reports make it seem like a procedural thing, it’s still scary for a 19-year-old kid.

While it’s not important, it’s interesting how it will affect the possible Adrian Gonzalez trade talks between the Padres and the Red Sox. Rumors swirled in the offseason about trades that included Jacoby Ellsbury or Ryan Westmoreland, who’s also an outfielder.

We here at Sports of Boston wish Westmoreland a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.