Kansas City Royals pitcher, Yordano Ventura tragically passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Ventura was a mere twenty-five years old, and was from the Dominican Republic. He marks the second young rising star Major League Baseball pitcher to pass away in the past four months (Jose Fernandez).

A few different explanations came out as to how Ventura died. Originally, was said that he was robbed, and beaten, and then left to die. That was later cleared up, and proven that he died on impact from a car accident. Ventura was not wearing a seat belt, and was driving by himself. Reports say drugs and alcohol were not involved.

According to a few reporters who have visited the Dominican Republic recently commented on how reckless the driving situation is in Latin American countries, including one source who said. “I was in the Dominican Republic a few months ago, and the driving there is insane. I was in a cab, and the driver actually clipped a guy on a motorcycle. I saw him wipe out in the rear view mirror. I asked the driver if he was going to stop and help him, and he just shrugged and said ‘he’ll be fine.'”

Following Ventura’s tragic death, baseball fans everywhere are mourning and remembering this young rising star. Ventura was a hard throwing right handed pitcher who the Kansas City Royals were using as building block for their franchise. Ventura debuted with the Royals in 2013, and was later brought up full time in 2014. His 2014 rookie season included a 3.20 Earned Run Average (ERA), over 183 innings. This helped the Royals clinch their first playoff berth since 1985.

In the 2014 playoff run, he notched a win in game six of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. The Royals proceeded to drop game seven and be stunned with defeat.

However, the team bounced back and Ventura helped the Royals win the 2015 World Series.

Ventura had a very explosive demeanor and was always fun to watch whenever he would toe the mound. In 2014 (rookie year) he posted a solid record of fourteen wins and ten losses, including two big wins over the Toronto Blue Jays in American League Championship Series. He also posted a win in the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets. Following the 2015 season, Ventura signed a five year deal with the Royals through 2019, with options in 2020 and 2021.

Ventura pitched his entire Major League Baseball career with the Royals, starting with the Royals organization at the age of fourteen at an academy in the Dominican Republic. He found this academy after he dropped out of school and was working for a construction crew.

Ventura has always been a cornerstone for the Kansas City Royals youth movement. He was one of the first signees, followed by some key players including Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer.

Ventura’s overall career includes thirty-eight wins, and thirty-one losses, while posting a 3.89 earned run average (ERA). This earned Ventura the nickname of “Ace” from Royals coaches and teammates.

A few of his teammates took to Twitter following the news of his death, and were very emotional. Royals First baseman Eric Hosmer tweeted: “I love you my brother. I’m in disbelief and don’t know what to say. I love you ACE.”

Yordano Ventura: June 3, 1991 – January 22, 2017