SAN DIEGO โ Los Angeles Angelsโ prospect, right-hander George Klassen, is reportedly recovering following an incident in which he was struck by a line drive. The unfortunate event took place on Sunday while Klassen was pitching for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. The ball hit him in the head during the fourth inning of a Southern League matchup against Montgomery, causing him to collapse on the mound.
After the impact, Klassen required assistance to leave the field. He was escorted by his manager and the athletic trainer. As of Monday, Klassen was still undergoing medical examinations. However, the team provided a positive update, noting that he was awake, alert, and showing signs of improvement.
Angelsโ Manager Ron Washington, ahead of the teamโs series against the San Diego Padres, mentioned that he hadnโt received new information regarding Klassenโs condition that day.
Klassen is regarded as a key potential player in the Angelsโ farm system, which consistently receives low ratings. The 23-year-old pitcher became part of the Angelsโ lineup last summer, when the team traded Carlos Estรฉvez to the Philadelphia Phillies, who had initially selected Klassen in the sixth round of the 2023 draft.
Currently, Klassen holds a 1-3 record with a 4.97 ERA for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, having achieved 36 strikeouts over 29 innings.