Prospect DeShields hit in face by pitch at Double-A

OAKLAND -- Delino DeShields Jr., the Astros' seventh-ranked prospect, was taken to a hospital Friday night after he was struck on the right side of the face by a pitch in the seventh inning of Double-A Corpus Christi's game in Frisco, Texas.

DeShields, who walked off the field under his own power, went 1-for-3 and is hitting .259 with two homers and four RBIs this season as the Hooks' starting center fielder.

DeShields, 21, hit .317 with five homers, 54 RBIs and 51 stolen bases last season at Class A Lancaster. After the season, he made the move back to center field after playing a few seasons at second base.

After hitting .220 in Class A Lexington in his first full season of pro ball in 2011, DeShields returned to the South Atlantic League in 2012 and was spectacular. He hit .298 with 96 runs, 10 homers, 52 RBIs and had 83 stolen bases in 111 games, finishing with 101 steals after swiping 18 more bags at Class A Lancaster.

DeShields, whose father, Delino DeShields Sr., hit .268 and stole 463 bases over a 13-year big league career with the Expos, Dodgers, Cardinals, Orioles and Cubs, was the Astros' first-round pick (eighth overall) in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.