Former Yankees Prospect Jesus Montero Dies at 35 After Venezuela Motorcycle Crash

Jesus Montero, a former top prospect for the New York Yankees and a Major League Baseball catcher, died at age 35 following a severe motorcycle accident in Venezuela. The crash on October 4 left him with critical injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung, and multiple fractures, leading to an induced coma and ultimately his death two weeks later. Once regarded as one of baseball's most promising young talents, Montero was signed by the Yankees as a teenager and was highly praised for his hitting ability, comparing him to greats like Miguel Cabrera and Mike Piazza. Despite an impressive MLB debut with the Yankees in 2011, his career included a high-profile trade to the Seattle Mariners, PED suspensions, and a rapid decline that ended his major league play by age 25. The baseball community, including the Yankees and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, mourned his passing and remembered him as a gifted hitter with a deep love for the game, who remained involved in baseball through coaching and mentorship in Venezuela. His death marks a tragic end to a roller-coaster career once filled with immense promise.