Marlins prospect to undergo surgery after knife prank

Stone Garrett, the top-ranked outfielder in the Miami Marlins' minor-league system, will undergo thumb surgery to repair injuries sustained during a prank involving 2015 first-round pick Josh Naylor, according to a statement released Tuesday by Reynolds Sports Management.

In the statement, Garrett's agent Larry Reynolds said his client was "not a willing participant" in the undisclosed knife prank initiated by his Class-A Greensboro teammate, previously identified by the Marlins as being Naylor. Reynolds noted that Naylor and Garrett are not roommates, contrary to previous reports.

"The injury was not a result of horseplay of any kind," Reynolds said. He added that he's hopeful Garrett, a 20-year-old outfielder selected in the 8th round of the 2014 draft, will resume his career in the near future.

On Monday, Marlins president Michael Hill told reporters that Garrett required three stitches to his hand for what appeared to be an innocent prank gone wrong.

"Naylor has a reputation of being a bit of a prankster, but this one obviously went a little too far," Hill said. "Obviously, he's torn up about it. This is a good friend, his roommate. They came into pro ball together, so they're good friends."

Garrett, the Marlins' 4th-rated prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com, was named the club's the minor-league player of the year in 2015 after hitting .297/.352/.581 with 11 home runs and eight steals at Class A short season. Prior to last week's incident, Garrett posted a .753 OPS with 15 extra-base hits in 35 games for Greensboro.

Naylor, an 18-year-old power-hitting first baseman, was the club's top pick in last year's draft and ranked by MLB.com as the second-best prospect in the organization.

"I don't think you'll see Josh Naylor goofing around with knives any more," Hill said. "Other pranks were just pranks and nobody got hurt. Unfortunately, this one ended in an injury, which isn't funny at all."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)