There has been a car accident in the Dominican Republic, involving three Cincinnati Red’s prospects. Jairo Capellan was killed in the accident, Emilio Garcia and Raul Hernandez were both hospitalized. All three prospects are 19 years old, Hernandez remains in the hospital in critical condition and Garcia remains in stable condition. The accident occurred on Saturday morning near Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. The President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams released a statement on behalf of the Reds organization earlier today.
Reds Statement pic.twitter.com/3LXwNkkx4U
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) November 3, 2018
Capellan was a right-handed reliever, Hernandez was a right-handed reliever but has made the transition to a starter in this past summer season, and Garcia is an outfielder who played in his first summer season this year. All three prospects are from Santo Domingo and were on the Reds Dominican Summer League team after signing with them in 2017.
Capellan had a 2-3 record, an ERA of 6.25, and 39 strikeouts through 31.2 innings pitched in the summer season. Hernandez had a 2-4 record, an ERA of 2.29, and 77 strikeouts through 51 innings pitched during his second year with the team. Garcia played in 47 games, batting .205 with zero home runs and struck out 60 times in 171 at-bats during the summer season.
This sad news comes just days after baseball mourns the loss of Willie McCovey who passed away at the age of 80 earlier this week. The Reds extended their condolences to the three families affected by this crash.
