Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning, January 22. The crash took place in the Dominican Republic near Juan Adrian. According to ESPN’s Christian Moreno, Ventura was driving under influence.

“It’s sad thing so see such a young player go so soon. Especially one with such a love of the game like Yordano had,” junior Thomas Philpot said.

Royals fans have had mixed reactions to learning about the death of their pitcher.

“I was really shocked and hoped it wasn’t true. He was one of our better pitchers considering all the players we’ve traded this year,” sophomore Lydia Bolin said.

Many fans have been offering condolences to the family and friends of Ventura.

“I saw it on my phone and I looked down at it and showed by friends around me. As a youth group we prayed for his family, teammates, and friends,” sophomore Ben Varnell said.

Ventura signed with the Royals as a free agent in 2008 and had since become one of their starting pitchers.

“Yordano played such a prominent role in so many great Royals’ memories in the last 3 years, and really seemed to personify the passion and energy of the Royals clubhouse and their fan base,” special services teacher Zach Osborne said.
Fellow players have turned to social media to mourn for their 25 year old teammate.

https://twitter.com/Mooose_8/status/823216055266877440

When you scroll down and your whole newsfeed is talking about your brother. The impact the energy you brought to our team. #GoneTooSoon #ACE

— Terrance Gore (@TGO7E) January 22, 2017

ACE I love you my brother. I'm in disbelief and don't know what to say. I love you ACE 🙏🏽 @… https://t.co/ky3lw2eSoh

— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHos305) January 22, 2017

The Royals have since released an official statement confirming the death of of Ventura.

Official statement from the Kansas City Royals organization. pic.twitter.com/AgInmjHWAB

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) January 22, 2017

Ventura’s death is the third MLB death in the past five months with Marlin’s player Jose Fernandez’s death in a boating accident on September 25th and, former infielder Andy Marte who was also killed in an accident Sunday. The accidents were unrelated.

“His death is especially gut wrenching when you think of the early death of his friend and fellow baseball players, Oscar Taveras (2014) and Jose Fernandez,” Osborne said.