San Diego Padres Pitcher, Cole Paplham, Hit in the Face by 102 MPH Line Drive
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San Diego Padres pitcher, Cole Paplham, encountered a frightening incident on Sunday, February 23rd, during a spring training game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers emerged victorious with a score of 8-3, but the game took a serious turn when Paplham was struck in the face by a line drive from Dodgers’ first baseman, Aaron Bracho.
A video shared on X by Dodgers Nation captured the moment when Paplham, aged 24, threw the ball and it was swiftly batted back by Bracho, resulting in a direct impact on the pitcher’s face. The footage showed the ball hitting Paplham’s cheek and jaw area, causing him to spin around before covering his face with his hands. Immediate assistance was provided by a teammate and staff member who rushed to his aid, placing a towel on his face. Paplham then walked to a golf cart, shielding his head with the towel as he was taken off the field.
According to MLB.com, Statcast data revealed that Bracho’s liner was travelling at a staggering speed of 102.4 mph. Despite the severity of the impact, Padres manager Mike Shildt confirmed that Paplham remained conscious and alert throughout the ordeal. Shildt expressed concern for Paplham’s well-being, stating, “Our prayers are with him. He was conscious, seemed alert, knew where he was. But clearly a scary thing… He was clearly in some pain, and obviously, when something like that happens, a little bit rattled.”
The incident involving Paplham echoes a recent event where Dodgers pitcher, Bobby Miller, was also struck by a line drive, further highlighting the dangers that players face on the field. Miller was hit during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs, where a fastball clocked at 105.5 mph from Cubs’ first baseman, Michael Busch, resulted in a similar harrowing situation.
Dodgers Nation expressed their support for Paplham, sharing their thoughts and prayers for the injured reliever. The baseball community has once again been reminded of the risks involved in the sport, particularly when it comes to high-speed line drives that can have devastating consequences.
As the baseball world rallies around Cole Paplham during his recovery, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers faced by players in the game. The resilience and camaraderie displayed in moments of adversity within the sport further underscore the tight-knit nature of the baseball community.
This unfortunate incident involving Paplham underscores the importance of player safety and vigilance on the field. It also sheds light on the potential risks associated with the high-impact nature of baseball, prompting discussions around additional protective measures to safeguard players from such incidents in the future.
As Cole Paplham receives medical attention and support from his team and the baseball community at large, his road to recovery serves as a testament to the strength and determination of athletes in overcoming challenges both on and off the field. Our thoughts are with him as he navigates this difficult period and works towards a full recovery from this alarming incident.