Jesús Montero, a former top prospect of the New York Yankees and major league player for the Seattle Mariners, has died at the age of 35. The Yankees’ organization shared the news on social media, expressing their deep sadness over the loss of the Venezuela native. His death followed a motorcycle crash in Venezuela earlier in the month, which left him in a coma and ultimately led to his passing.
Montero, who was born in Venezuela, was involved in a motorcycle crash that occurred in his home country earlier this month. His family set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover his hospital expenses, which was reported by the New York Post. He was placed in a coma following the accident and later passed away in the hospital.
Montero was recognized as one of the top prospects in baseball, as he was ranked as high as No. 3 in Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus‘ top prospects prior to the 2011 season. He made his debut with the Yankees’ Rookie League team at the age of 17, hitting .280 with three home runs in 33 games.
Montero played 18 games for the Yankees in 2011 before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in January 2012 as part of a deal that included the acquisition of Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. He spent the majority of his major league career with the Mariners from 2012 to 2015, hitting .247 with a .668 OPS and 24 home runs in 208 games.
Following his time with the Mariners, Montero joined the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, but never secured a full-time spot in the majors with either team. His legacy in the sport will be remembered through his contributions to the Yankees and Mariners, as well as his journey from a top prospect to a major league player.
The Yankees expressed their condolences to Montero’s family and loved ones, acknowledging the profound impact of his passing on the baseball community. While the details of his motorcycle crash remain under investigation, the focus now is on remembering Montero’s career and the contributions he made to the sport.