The Baltimore Orioles announced yesterday minor league prospect Ramon Ramirez died in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic on Saturday night.
Statement on the death of Ramon Ramirez: pic.twitter.com/gxvjX19aJQ
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 31, 2016
“Our entire organization is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Ramon Ramirez. As a member of the Orioles organization, Ramon worked tirelessly to make the most of his opportunity to play professional baseball,” said Dan Duquette, the Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and coaches as we mourn this unimaginable loss.”
The-23-year-old joined the Orioles as a free agent in 2014. An infielder, Ramirez batted .238 with 18 runs and 11 stolen bases in 55 career minor league games.
Orioles player development director Brian Graham was told about Ramirez’s on Sunday morning and told the Baltimore Sun he was shocked when given the news.
“I was shocked and surprised,” Graham said. “You just have a terrible feeling in your stomach because I’m a parent as well. I feel for his family.”
“He was a good organizational player,” Graham said. “He was a utility infielder who could really catch the ball and one of those kids with great makeup, so he had the opportunity to be around.”
Ramirez is the second prospect to be killed in a motorcycle accident in a week, as Houston Astros prospect pitcher Jose Rosario died after getting into an accident in the Dominican Republic. The 20-year-old joined the Astros as a free agent in 2013.
No details have emerged on what caused either accident.
