May, Anderson injured in outfield collision

A pair of top White Sox prospects left Birmingham's loss to Biloxi on Tuesday evening after a collision in the outfield.

Center fielder Jacob May and shortstop Tim Anderson were hurt in the top of the fourth inning when Taylor Green flared a ball into shallow center field with one out and runners at second and third base.

Anderson, Chicago's No. 2 prospect, ranged into center field with his back to the infield trying to track the flight of the ball over his right shoulder. At the same time, May, ranked 14th in the White Sox system, sprinted toward the ball.

May dropped down to one knee and slid under Anderson, who dove across May as he extended his left arm and reached out to catch the ball. It appeared Anderson's left hip and shoulder struck May in the head and chest area.

Both players remained on the ground for several minutes. Anderson started out on both knees and then laid on his back on the outfield grass. May remained on his back for the first three minutes of the six-minute injury delay. Barons athletic trainer Joe Geck and a doctor from Andrews Sports Medicine tended to both players as teammates gathered around them.

May, initially diagnosed with a head injury, struggled to get to his feet and appeared to be disoriented when he finally stood up. After stumbling for a few small steps, May was carried off the field by first baseman Danny Hayes and Birmingham manager Julio Vinas. Anderson, who officially left the game with an injured shoulder, was able to walk off the field under his own power moments later.

With the exits, Keenyn Walker took over in center field and Chris Curley came into the game to play third. Jeremy Farrell moved from third to left with Marcus Lemon switching from left to shortstop.

Initial reports said May was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital two miles east of the ballpark accompanied by Geck.

Selected in the first round of the 2013 Draft, Anderson is hitting .316 with a homer, 14 extra-base hits, 22 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 50 Southern League games this season. The 21-year-old Alabama native is in his third season of pro ball after batting .301/.327/.481 across three levels last year.

May, a 23-year-old third-round pick of the White Sox from the same Draft, is batting .311 with 18 RBIs, 10 doubles and 25 steals in 52 appearances for the Barons in his first year on the circuit.

A team spokesman said more information is expected to be released about the severity of the injuries Wednesday.

Biloxi won the game, 4-3.