Ryan Westmoreland, a former top prospect with the Red Sox, announced his retirement from professional baseball, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. The 22-year-old underwent brain surgery in 2010 and worked to revive his pro career before suffering a setback and having a second surgery.
"Although it is a very difficult decision for me, it has become clear that the neurological damage caused by the most recent cavernous malformation and surgery leaves me with physical challenges that make it impossible to play the game at such a high level," Westmoreland told reporters.
The Red Sox selected Westmoreland in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, signing him to a $2MM bonus. He posted a .296/.401/.484 batting line as a 19-year-old at Class A the following year, and Baseball America ranked him 21st among MLB prospects leading up to the 2010 campaign.
