Diamondbacks draft paralyzed ASU player Cory Hahn in 34th round

By the time the 34th round of the MLB draft rolls around, the picks are usually less than noteworthy and just a little more than taking a chance.

Not so with the Arizona Diamondbacks who — with the 1,020th overall pick of the 2013 draft — used their pick as an unselfish gesture to a young player whose career was cut short by a devastating injury two years ago.

Going against all conventional reason, the Diamondbacks picked Arizona State's Cory Hahn —an outfielder who was paralyzed during a game in 2011. The D-backs waited until the 34th round to pick Hahn because he wore No. 34 while as an outfielder at ASU.  He was finally eligible for  this year's draft because it's his third year out of high school.

"It was a very emotional selection for us to make," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said on Saturday. "When (scouting director) Ray Montgomery and his staff came up with the idea and presented it to me, it was a no-brainer."

After the D-backs' inspiring move, Hahn tweeted his joy at having a dream come true.

I cannot thank the @dbacks enough for what they have done! So humbled and will be forever grateful! So honored to be a diamondback!
— Coryhahn34 (@Coryhahn34) June 9, 2013

Hahn was one of the nation's top prospects in 2010, when he was California's Mr. Baseball after leading Mater Dei High School to a state title.

He was drafted in the 26th round by San Diego that year, but likely would have gone much higher had he not announced plans to play at Arizona State.

Hahn was just a week into his freshman season for the Sun Devils and played only three games when he was injured.

Playing against New Mexico on Feb. 20, 2011, he suffered a spinal injury after sliding head-first on a steal attempt and colliding with Lobos second baseman Kyle Stiner's knee.

Hahn was taken off on a stretcher and had surgery later that night, but was paralyzed from the mid-chest down after fracturing his C-5 vertebrae. He's spent the past two years helping Arizona State's program as a student coach.

Hahn's post-injury mission has been to inspire others to aspire and achieve.  It looks like the Diamondbacks heard Hahn loud and clear. Congratulations to both.