The Yankees held a moment of silence before Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in honor of Sandy Acevedo. 18 year old Acevedo was signed as an international free agent last July, and was set to start his pro career in 2016. Sadly, he was killed in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic on Saturday night.
The Yankees held a moment of silence today for Sandy Acevedo, a minor league INF killed in a car accident last night in the DR at age 18
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) April 24, 2016
Signed on July 6, 2015, his 18th birthday, he was expected to make his debut in the Gulf Coast League when their season started in June. The Yankees director of international scouting, Donny Rowland, said in 2015 of the infielder,
“Acevedo was one of the hitters that we brought in to face Yoan Lopez, (Arizona’s No. 8 prospect), and he absolutely owned him in three out of four at bats and crushed stuff. That’s where our staff became sold on this guy. ‘We like the pitcher, but who is the hitter?'”
Acevedo’s death is the latest in a series of accidents that have claimed the lives of young prospects in the DR. Over a six day span last January, 23 year old Astros’ prospect Jose Rosario and 20 year old Orioles’ prospect Ramon Ramirez were killed in separate motorcycle accidents. Also, back in 2104, Former top Cardinals’ prospect Oscar Taveras died in a car crash in Puerto Plata.
The Bronx Faithful’s thoughts and prayers are with Sandy’s family and friends in this tough time.
