Injuries hamper some of nation's top high school baseball players

Some of the most sought-after prospects in the country won't find their names on any All-American lists this summer. The reason? Injuries.

Injuries have robbed some of the top high school baseball players of their senior seasons. While some, like Alex Bregman of Albuquerque Academy (N.M.), won't miss the entire year, others, like No. 1 overall prospect Lucas Giolito of Harvard-Westlake, are out for the season and can do nothing but wait until their name is called during June's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Selection draft.

Here's a short rundown of some of the top players who have been hampered by injuries so far this season.

Lucas Giolito, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) – The No. 1 prospect in the country dazzled in his first outing of the season, showing off a 100 mph fastball. However in his second game of the season, Giolito injured his elbow in a loss to Alemany. The injury was enough to fell the big righthander for the rest of the season.

Rio Ruiz, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) – Ranked as the No. 15 overall recruit by MaxPreps, Ruiz began having problems with his arm in March. A subsequent MRI showed a blood clot underneath his clavicle. Ruiz had surgery to remove the blood clot and is awaiting medical clearance to play again. Ruiz says he is hopeful that he can play again this season.

C.J. Hinojosa, Klein Collins (Spring, Texas) – At first, Hinojosa was not going to play at Klein Collins for his senior year. Instead, he was going to enroll early in college to get a jump start on his college education. However, those plans changed and Hinojosa was back in the lineup this year for a Klein Collins team that got off to a slow start but then rattled off 17 straight wins. Hinojosa, the No. 18 prospect in the country, aggravated a shoulder injury, however, and has been sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Fernelys Sanchez, Washington (New York City) – The extremely quick outfielder has been slowed by a fractured fibula that figures to keep him out for at least a month. He was unable to play at the National High School Invitational, where the Trojans went a disappointing 0-3. Sanchez is ranked No. 67 in the country by MaxPreps.

Xander Taylor, Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.) – While not a Top 100 prospect by MaxPreps, Taylor's injury has had a profound effect on the Admirals. Expected to be the pitching leader for his team and one of the top pitchers in the state of Tennessee, Taylor underwent shoulder surgery in January and will miss the entire 2012 season.

Matt Smoral, Solon (Ohio) – Considered the nation's No. 2 left-handed pitcher, the 6-foot-7 prospect has developed a stress fracture in his foot and will be out the remainder of the season. Smoral is ranked No. 9 in the country by MaxPreps.

Matthew Crownover, Ringgold (Ga.) – The No. 74 overall prospect has had Tommy John surgery on his elbow and is out for the season.