How did Venezuelan minor league prospect Andrés Meléndez die? | Baseball 123

Frederlin Castro | @fr3djcd

The Cleveland Guardians confirmed that minor league catcher Andrés Meléndez passed away on the afternoon of December 16 in Miami.

The team did not reveal the cause of death, but said the death was “sudden.” “The Cleveland Guardians are saddened to share that Andres Melendez passed away suddenly this afternoon,” the Guardians said in a statement Thursday night.

“Meléndez is remembered by his teammates and friends as a positive, respectful and thoughtful young man with a beautiful smile who had a profound impact on others. He will be greatly missed,” the statement read.

The 20-year-old Venezuelan began his professional career with the Milwaukee organization in 2018. Andrés spent two seasons between the Brewers teams in the Dominican Summer and the Arizona League. It was then acquired in a trade for Cleveland in 2019.

Melendez played for Cleveland’s Low-A minor league team, the Lynchburg Hillcats, in 2021. He hit .250 in 36 games played.

Incredibly said news to report tonight. #Guardians 20yr old (C) prospect Andres Melendez has passed away. Melendez born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela came over to Cleveland in a trade for INF Mark Mathias in 2019. He spent the entire 2021 season with (Low-A) Lynchburg. ð??????ð??????ð?????? pic.twitter.com/X9OI6oqU3O

— Guardians Prospective (@indiansPro) December 17, 2021

The cause of the death of Andrés Meléndez remains secret

There is no immediate word on the cause of Andrés Meléndez’s death. Meléndez reportedly passed away suddenly. His death is currently under investigation.

After knowing the sad news of the death of Andrés Meléndez, his friends and users of social networks flooded social networks with messages of tribute. Many fans also took to Twitter to pay tribute to him.

In a statement, the Milwaukee Brewers said Thursday night: “We join the Cleveland Guardians in mourning the premature loss of Andres Meléndez, a former player in the Brewers organization, and offer to friends, Andres’ family and teammates our sincerest condolences during this difficult time. “

His Hillcats teammate Josh Wolf mourned the loss shortly after the heartbreaking news was announced, saying the catcher “always brought positive energy to the field and locker room.”

He added: “He was a fantastic teammate and an even better person. I love you, Andrés.”

The official Lynchburg Hillcats Twitter account wrote: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrés Meléndez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrés Meléndez’s family and teammates. He left too early and full of life and talent. He will be missed. RIP Andrés,” Richard Haake tweeted.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Andrés Meléndez family and the @LynHillcats organization and the @CleGuardians family. We must cherish every day that we are given … no one is promised tomorrow,” wrote Patrick Larson.