Jack Hurley and Gino Groover Injured in Hillsboro's Loss to Vancouver

Two of the Diamondbacks top prospects suffered injuries in Hillsboro's 5-4 loss to the Vancouver Canadians.

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Jack Hurley during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

The Diamondbacks farm system suffered injuries to a pair of their top prospects. Jack Hurley (right leg) and Gino Groover (left wrist) both suffered injuries and were removed from the game in Hillsboro's 5-4 loss to the Vancouver Canadians Tuesday night.

Hurley went 0-for-4, reaching on a fielder's choice out on second on a ground ball. He successfully stole second base but rolled up his right leg when sliding into the base and avoiding a potential tag from the second baseman. He got up and felt discomfort in that leg and limped when the trainer came out. Brett Johnson replaced him as a pinch-runner.

Groover hyperextended his left wrist in a collision with the batter-runner after a comebacker to the mound was deflected by pitcher Eli Saul. Saul recovered and got the throw off to first, but the runner and the ball arrived at the same time. Groover was still in considerable pain as he walked off the field. He finished the game 3-for-4.

Triple-A: Reno Aces 0, Tacoma Rainiers 4

Slade Cecconi had a tough start against Tacoma, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings with four walks and seven strikeouts. He had good command of his fastball, landing 11 called strikes and getting nine whiffs on 22 swings (41%), but struggled to land his secondary stuff. Cecconi struggled to land his changeup, getting only one called strike and two whiffs out of 16 pitches. The slider was fairly solid, getting two whiffs, but the velocity was down 84.3 MPH for this start. In his first two, the velocity was up to 85.1 MPH. Earlier this week, Cecconi talked about how important it was for him to get his slider velocity to at least 84 MPH.

Jorge Barrosa had one of Reno's two hits on the night, but also hit into a killer double play in the 3rd inning.

Double-A: Amarillo Sod Poodles 3, Midland RockHounds 4

The Hispanic Titanic is on the board in 2024, as he launched a solo home run to right center for his first hit of the year. Ivan Melendez went 1-for-4 with that home run, a walk, and three strikeouts. Melendez hit 30 home runs last season between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. 2024 is going to be a big season for him, as he'll need to prove he can improve his strikeout rate from the 34% he posted in 2023.

GOING, GOING, GONE!

Ivan Melendez has hit his first home run of the 2024 season! pic.twitter.com/2VHGvE9NmI

— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 10, 2024

Beyond just Melendez's contributions, they had a big night from Caleb Roberts. Roberts doubled on a sinking liner that the right fielder narrowly missed on making a diving catch on, singled, and walked. Deyvison De Los Santos and A.J. Vukovich both singled, walked, and struck out twice.

High-A: Hillsboro Hops 4, Vancouver Canadians 5

Christian Cerda walked and later hit an RBI single in the 9th that put the Hops 90 feet away from tying the game. Manuel Pena went hitless, but walked and drove in a run on a fielder's choice out at second after hitting a ground ball. Alec Baker struck out five in three scoreless innings.

Low-A: Visalia Rawhide 4, San Jose Giants 7

Cristofer Torin continued his hot stretch to begin the season, going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in the 9th and a walk. Torin is 7-for-14 with 10 RBI to begin the season.

Cristofer Torin hit our first Handel’s Homerun of the year! pic.twitter.com/vajknLZCTR

— Visalia Rawhide (@VisaliaRawhide) April 10, 2024

Druw Jones, Ruben Santana, and Jansel Luis combined to go 0-for-12 with four strikeouts, with Jones accounting for three.