MLB Star Reyes Moronta Dies in Tragic Traffic Accident at 31
The baseball community is mourning the loss of MLB star Reyes Moronta. The pitcher, originally from the Dominican Republic, played for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Moronta died in a traffic accident in his native country on July 28, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. He was 31.
In addition to his six-year stint in the MLB, Moronta transitioned to the Mexican League earlier this year, where he played for the León Braves and the Mexico Red Devils. The Mexican League confirmed the former pitcher’s death on July 29.
“We grieve on behalf of his family, friends, and former teammates,” the statement, translated from Spanish, read on X, formerly Twitter. “Rest in peace.”
The Quiniqua, Dominican Republic native—who married Ivelka Felin in 2020—was also remembered by the Major League Baseball Players Association.
“The player community was shocked and saddened to learn of Reyes Moronta’s death in a traffic accident Sunday,” the organization wrote in a statement on X July 29. “We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends in his native Dominican Republic and throughout the game.”
During his time in the MLB, Moronta—who also acted as a catcher before playing professionally—threw nearly 3,000 pitches and accumulated 16 home runs, according to the organization’s website. His fastball could reach up to 100 mph, Yahoo! Sports reported. He spent most of his time with the Giants, playing for the team between 2017 and 2021 before moving on to the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Angels in 2022 and 2023.
Moronta first signed to the MLB in 2010 at age 17, becoming the first person from his town, which has about 700 residents, to reach the big leagues. He previously spoke about the significance of this achievement.
“My town has a lot of kids who played baseball that have had a lot of talent and never made it to the big leagues,” he explained in a profile with Yahoo! Sports in 2019. “I am the example for them to follow. To make it.”
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