Diamondbacks Select Paralyzed Arizona State Outfielder Cory Hahn in 34th Round of MLB Draft

Cory Hahn Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks deserve unlimited props for their 34th-round selection in the MLB draft.

The Diamondbacks took Cory Hahn No. 1,020 overall on Saturday. Hahn was paralyzed from the chest down during his freshman year at Arizona State while sliding into second base. Hahn suffered a spinal injury during the play and became a C5 quadriplegic.

Since 2013 was Hahn’s third year after high school, this would have been his first opportunity to be drafted. Hahn was named Mr. Baseball in California as a high school senior.

Hahn wore No. 34 with the Sun Devils. The Draft has 40 rounds, so the Diamondbacks did not wait until their final pick to select Hahn. For Arizona, it’s not just a symbolic move. The organization has plans for Hahn.

“It’s not about us. It’s really about Cory and his family,” Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall told The Associated Press. “I was able to spend time with them right after the injury in his hospital room and he’s a wonderful kid. We want to make this permanent. We don’t want this to just be about the selection and him being a draft pick, but about him working in full-time employment with the Diamondbacks and hopefully we’ll make that come to fruition for he and his family here soon.”

Hahn has served as a student coach at Arizona State for the past two seasons. He has regained some use of his hands.