Red Sox Prospect Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Leg

By Nick Bohlen in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ February 9, 2013 at 10:45pm ⋅ Post a comment

Red Sox prospect Bryce Brentz gave a whole new meaning to "lines a bullet to left-center" when he accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning his gun. (Photo courtesy of NESN)

San Francisco Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt once stabbed himself in the hand trying to separate a couple of frozen burger patties. Former Colorado Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes fell down the stairs and broke his collarbone carrying a huge hunk of venison. Apparently, Glenallen Hill’s arachnophobia once caused him to injure himself sleep running away from a nightmare about spiders.

In short, baseball players manage to injure themselves in incredibly idiotic ways.

Red Sox minor league outfielder Bryce Brentz is no different, it seems. The 24-year-old prospect was cleaning his gun at home when it accidentally discharged and he shot himself in the leg.

According to Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington, the bullet went clean through Brentz’s left leg and out the other side. Fortunately, the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, and he should recover in time for the start of the minor league season.

Ultimately, since his career shouldn’t be affected, I imagine the most painful part was the media phone call when Brentz had to explain why he was missing from big league spring training activities.

After being drafted in the first round in 2010, Brentz hit .290 with 17 home runs and an OPS of .864 between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. Ranked fifth among Red Sox prospects at the end of the 2012 season (according to SoxProspects.com), Brentz would have been a non-roster invitee to the club’s big league spring training. Red Sox manager John Farrell has even surmised Brentz could be called upon in the major leagues this season in the event of any injuries to the outfield.

Of course, that means Brentz has to avoid the classic baseball injury from unrelated off-field antics. Based on baseball players’ track records, that might just be too much to ask.

About Nick Bohlen - My Twitter

I am a weekly contributor for the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox sections of SoB. As a Red Sox fan first and foremost, I am predisposed to expect the worst and masochistically relish it. I apologize in advance with a celebratory '04 David Ortiz (see right).

Tags: Ben Cherington, Bryce Brentz, Clint Barmes, Spring Training, Venison injury