June 9, 2011
Paralyzed player from Vermont drafted by Astros
by NEBJ Staff/
Buddy Lamothe (Lyndonville, Vt.), who was paralyzed in a diving accident in May, was selected by the Houston Astros in the MLB draft on Wednesday. (photo: San Jacinto College North)
Buddy Lamothe, who was paralyzed in a diving accident in Texas on May 1, was selected by the Houston Astros in the 40th round on Wednesday in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Lamothe, from Lyndonville, Vt., was enjoying a standout freshman season at San Jacinto College North prior to his accident.
A standout pitcher who helped lead Lyndon Institute to the 2009 Vermont Division II state championship, Lamothe had an 0.77 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 23.1 innings pitched in 2011.
Lamothe is currently in Breckenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, with an injury to his spinal cord. He could soon be moved to TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Houston.
The Astros’ selection of Lamothe came seven rounds after the Texas Rangers picked University of Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor, who was paralyzed March 6 after a collision with teammate Zach Cone.
A website has been created for updates and donations for Lamothe. It can be found at http://www.wix.com/donate4buddy/buddylamothe.
