CLEVELAND Guardians minor league catcher Andrés Meléndez passed away suddenly on Thursday afternoon in Miami, the team confirmed.
The team released a statement remembering Meléndez as a “positive, respectful and thoughtful” man, but gave no additional details about his death.
The player was born in Venezuela and began his professional career in 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
He was traded to Cleveland in a 2019 deal and quickly began making an impact on his teammates and in the league.
“Meléndez is remembered by his teammates and friends as a positive, respectful and thoughtful young man with a beautiful smile who had a profound impact on others,” the Guardians’ statement said.
“He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, teammates and those who knew him.”
The catcher spent the 2021 season at Low-A-Lynchburg, appearing in 73 games.
The Lynchburg Hillcats said they were left “deeply saddened” by the news.
Tributes from across the sport poured in as news of Meléndez’s passing emerged.
The Brewers said: “We join the Cleveland Guardians in mourning the untimely loss of Andrés Meléndez, a former player in the Brewers organization, and offer the friends, family, and teammates of Andrés our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.”
Teammate Josh Wolf said that Meléndez brought positive energy with him everywhere he went.
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“I never thought I would be saying these words but RIP mi hermano,” Wolf wrote.
“Anyone who knew or played with Andres saw the joy he brought everyday. He was always bringing positive energy to the field and locker room.
“He was a fantastic teammate and an even better person. Love you Andres.”
