Blue Jays top prospect Anthony Alford stretchered off field in minor league game

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Anthony Alford was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury following a collision Friday night in a minor league game.

Alford, who was playing for Toronto’s advanced-A affiliate, the Dunedin Blue Jays, collided with shortstop Richard Urena on an infield fly in the 12th inning while racing to a high pop fly in shallow centre-field, according to a story on the Dunedin team’s website.

Alford, 21, stayed down for almost 15 minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and taken to Mease Dunedin Hospital.

The centre-fielder had a CT scan that did not reveal any fracture, the Blue Jays said in a release Saturday. Alford has since been released from hospital and diagnosed with a concussion.

Toronto’s third-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft is hitting .205 with one home run, 11 runs batted in and four stolen bases for Dunedin.

Alford is the Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect and ranked No. 37 among all MLB prospects, according to MLB.com.