Viktor Sanchez pitching for the Jackson Generals last summer at AT&T Field
photo by Tim Evearitt
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Victor Sanchez, one of the Mariners' top pitching prospects, died in Venezuela from head injuries sustained in a boating accident in his home country six weeks ago.
The Mariners confirmed the news Saturday night after MLB.com initially learned of Sanchez's death from his agent, Rafa Nieves. Sanchez was 20 years old and had been in the Mariners' Minor League system since signing as an international free agent at 16.
"The Seattle Mariners are saddened to learn of the passing of Victor Sanchez," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said.
"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," Zduriencik said.
Sanchez had been in critical condition in a Caracas hospital since being hit in the head by a boat propeller while swimming off the shore of the eastern coastal city of Carupano on Feb. 13, just days before he was to fly to Arizona to take part in the Mariners' Minor League mini-camp prior to the start of Spring Training.
Sanchez had been unconscious in a medically induced coma since the incident and underwent brain surgery after sustaining a double skull fracture and brain hematoma.
The 6-foot, 255-pound right-hander was ranked as the Mariners' 11th-best prospect by MLB.com last year. Sanchez went 7-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Jackson, where he was the second-youngest player in the Southern League.
Sanchez was regarded as one of Venezuela's top young pitching prospects when the Mariners signed him for a reported $2.5 million bonus in 2011 as a 16-year-old out of Rio Chico, Venezuela. He made 15 starts with Class A Everett in 2012, going 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA, then posted a 6-6 record and 2.78 ERA in 20 starts for Class A Clinton in 2013 before being promoted to Double-A last season.
Sanchez threw a no-hitter in his 27th professional start in 2013 for Clinton, striking out eight over nine innings and allowing just one baserunner on a hit batter.
---- Source: MLB.com
Viktor Sanchez
photo by Tim Evearitt