Victor Sanchez was injured Feb. 14 while swimming off the shore of Carupano. A boat struck him in the water with the propeller hitting him in the head.
PEORIA, Ariz. – The Mariners confirmed Saturday that talented pitching prospect Victor Sanchez had died at a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 20.
“The Seattle Mariners are saddened to learn of the passing of Victor Sanchez,” said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik in a statement. “Victor was a tremendous young man and a wonderful teammate. He was a very talented player who was close to fulfilling his promise as a major-leaguer. He will be missed by his teammates, and the coaches and staff at the Mariners.
“The entire Mariners organization sends our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
On Feb. 14, just days before he was scheduled to report to Arizona for the Mariners minor-league minicamp, Sanchez was injured while swimming off the shore in Playa Medina in the Venezuelan coastal city of Carupano. A boat struck him in the water with the propeller hitting him in the head.
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He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple skull fractures and cranial hematoma. He underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma. He was later transferred to a hospital in Caracas.
But the injuries were simply too extensive.
Sanchez signed with the Mariners as undrafted free agent at age 16 in 2011 for $2.5 million. He pitched last season for Class AA Jackson, posting a 7-6 record with a 4.19 ERA in 23 starts.
In 2013, he threw a no-hitter for Class A Clinton, and he was considered a rising prospect in the organization.