Townsend undergoes shoulder surgery; doubtful for '09

Rays RHP prospect Wade Townsend, their first-round pick in 2005, underwent surgery on his right shoulder, and it is doubtful he'll pitch in the 2009 season, according to Mitch Lukevics, director of minor league operations.

Townsend, 25, has done his share of rehabbing during his professional career. The former Rice standout spent the 2006 season working his way back from Tommy John Surgery, and was shut down in August 2007 due to arm soreness.

Townsend went a combined 1-6 with a 6.08 ERA with both Class-A Vero and Class-AA Montgomery in 2008. He made three starts in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-0 with an 8.44 ERA before getting shut down.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Gary]

Townsend,after sitting out a whole year was not nearly the prospect Hochevar was.He has not been the same since his Jr. year at Rice in '04.His selection by us in '05 was a CHEAP signing pick by the old ownership, no ifs, ands,or buts about it.

[MikeyA]

I believe Townsend was drafted by the Orioles the same year we selected Neimann, but he didn't sign at all and reentered the draft the following year when we selected him. I don't think he was drafted just for signability purposes (this was a time when we needed pitching), obviously the talent was there as he was a 1st round pick in successive years, he just hasn't been one to live up to any of the expectations. Luke Hochevar did the same spurning the Dodgers (05) and signing with the Royals (06) and Aaron Crow most likely will do the same as he didn't sign with the Nationals this spring. Good luck to Wade in his recovery, however, not a big fan of the entitlement he felt he earned with the hardball negotiation tactics. His MLB career hasn't benefitted from that, even when healthy.

[Steve]

I agree with most.Before that draft all 3 H.S. outfielders (Maybin,Bruce,McCutchen)were ranked much higher than Townsend by everyone.Drafting Townsend was one of Namolli's last acts of his penny pinching ways.

[sean]

Wade wasn't a bad pick simply because he is getting hurt, he was a bad pick the day we took him. You cant make excuses for THIS bad pick, simply because we made a few other good picks

The reasons we drafted Wade Townsend were not becaue he was the best player, that we could afford, left in teh draft. He was picked because he was convenient. He couldnt go back to college. He had to sign, and if our current management crew wa sin place at the time we wouldve never taken him as he had many red flags by his name

[9equals8.com]

The Rays have had tremendous success in the draft and they are bound to have a flop every once in a while. It's too bad, though. Wade has a lot of talent. Can he make a comeback in 2010? That's a long time to wait, but he won't cost the Rays much, so we might as well find out. Thank goodness we have 6 very good arms for our starting rotation. Let's hope they stay as healthy as they were in 2008. GO RAYS!!!

[mike]

Lets not go al balistic on who has been drafted, here. No one knows how these young arms will hold up. The Rays have succeeded because of quality draft selections, and a good portion of them came before the new regime.

[Vince]

Just a terrible pick.

[Gene]

Townsend's history! 2 major arm surgeries are extremely rare to come back from.It was a CHEAP mistake by Namolli,who instructed his scouting staff to take Townsend,because he would sign for at least a million less than anyone else in that spot in the draft.We could've had either Jay Bruce,Cameron Maybin,or Andrew McCutchen instead.All who would be in RF for us this coming year.

[Hawkeye]

With him missing another year, doubt he'll be back in a Rays uni.

[Rays Renegade]

Another bad year for the ex-Rice star. Jeff Neimann might end up being the most valuable of the Rice boys' now, and he is not even in the majors yet full time.
Wow!