Orioles Minor Leaguer Miguel Gonzalez Killed in Car Accident
By David Hill
Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Miguel Gonzalez passed away on Saturday due to injuries he sustained in a car accident. He was 21 years old.
For the second time in the past two years, tragedy has struck the Baltimore Orioles on the roads of the Dominican Republic. In January 2016, minor leaguer Ramon Ramirez passed away due to injuries he sustained during a motorcycle accident.
On Monday, another member of the Orioles 2014 international signing class passed away in the Dominican. Minor League pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had gotten into a car accident on Saturday, and succumbed to his injuries later that evening. He was only 21 years old.
Statement on the death of Orioles minor league pitcher Miguel Gonzalez: pic.twitter.com/G6JhedDKCP
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 18, 2017
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Gonzalez had spent three seasons in the Orioles system, all of them in the Dominican Summer League. This season, he had converted to the bullpen, as Baltimore looked for a way to harness his high octane arm. He responded with his best season, posting a 6.56 ERA and striking out as many batters as he walked for the first time as a professional.
He was not the first player from the Dominican to perish on the country’s roads this year. Both Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura were killed in separate accidents on the same day earlier this year, highlighting the lack of safety upon those roads. In fact, a study in 2013 by the World Health Organization showed that the country had the worst accident fatality rate, with 41.7 deaths per 100,000 people per year. Add in the often times terrible road conditions, and driving in the Dominican can be a hazardous experience.
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Our condolences go out to the Baltimore Orioles and the family and friends of Miguel Gonzalez.