ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays' farm system took another hit on Friday, when outfield prospect Garrett Whitley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Whitley, who is the club's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is expected to miss the entire 2018 season.
"Labrum surgery today ... tough times only make the strong even stronger. Best believe I'm gone come back better than ever," Whitley wrote on Twitter, captioned to a picture of him in a sling.
Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics confirmed Whitley's injury, noting, "He hurt himself diving for a ball."
The 13th overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Whitley played in a career-high 104 games last year, all with Class A Bowling Green, where he slashed .249/.362/.430 with 13 homers, 61 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He also played in the Australian Baseball League this past winter, slashing .265/.384/.503 in 185 at-bats.
It was a bounce-back 2017 of sorts for the 21-year-old Whitley, who suffered a right hamstring injury that forced him to miss extended time in '16.
The Rays organization will already be without top prospect Brent Honeywell (No. 18 overall), who earlier this spring underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.