Police in New Jersey have officially stated that Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Frank Cairone was not at fault in a serious car accident that left him hospitalised over the weekend.
Details of the Franklinville Collision
The incident occurred near the 18-year-old's home in Franklinville on Friday night. According to Franklin Township Chief of Police Matthew DeCesari, the collision happened when a female driver ran a stop sign at the intersection of Fries Mill Road and Williamstown Road.
Cairone, a left-handed pitcher selected by the Brewers in the second round of last year's MLB draft, was injured alongside a female passenger, identified as his girlfriend. Both were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. The young athlete required airlifting to Atlantic City Medical Center, where he remains surrounded by family.
Recovery Update and Impending Charges
Providing a positive update on Monday, Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold revealed that Cairone is 'progressing positively' in his recovery.
Chief DeCesari confirmed to The New York Post that the driver who caused the wreck will face charges, including disregarding a stop sign and reckless driving. Authorities have stated that alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash.
A Highly-Touted Baseball Future
Frank Cairone is a 6-foot-2 left-handed pitcher whose fastball has been clocked at 95mph, ranking him 26th among Brewers prospects. His talent drew significant MLB scout attention during his season opener for Delsea High School in April, with teams reportedly meeting his family prior to the draft.
Reflecting on the scrutiny at the time, Cairone remarked, 'Obviously I notice it, but it doesn’t change anything.' He was eventually signed by the Brewers for a slightly below-slot bonus of $1,097,500.
The baseball community now awaits further news on the promising pitcher's recovery and return to the sport.
