The Athletics' top prospect (No. 48 in the Minor Leagues) was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday and has been shut down for the year. The 22-year-old Texas native suffered a broken hand when he was struck by a pitch in the first inning of Midland's 8-3 win at San Antonio Saturday night.

The 10th overall pick out of the University of Texas-Arlington in 2010, Choice earned a host of All-Star and postseason awards after leading the California League in home runs last year, his first full season as a pro. His 30 longballs were tied for 12th in the Minor Leagues.

Choice got off to a slow start this spring in his Double-A debut with the RockHounds, hitting just one home run in April. He was batting .256/.326/.367 with six longballs over 73 games at the Texas League All-Star break.

The slugging center fielder picked up his pace in the second half, however, hitting .414/.475/.657 with four homers in his final 18 games. He had three hits, including a walk-off single in the 12th inning, against Arkansas on July 6, kicking off a five-game stretch in which he went 13-for-21 with two homers and nine RBIs to earn Texas League Player of the Week honors. Choice also participated in the All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City on July 8.

He finishes his season riding a 16-game hitting streak and had reached base in each of his last 19 contests.

Choice participated as an alternate in the Arizona Fall League last year, batting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 17 games for the Phoenix Desert Dogs. He could potentially return this October if his injury permits.