Former Twins Minor Leaguer Died in Venezuela

[Seth Stohs]

Victor Heredia signed with the Twins in July 2016. The catcher/first baseman played for the DSL Twins in 2017 and 2018. He advanced to the GCL for the 2019 season. 

Early Sunday morning, he passed away. While all details aren't yet known, he left a club in Acarigua, Venezuela, at about 4 am. He was in a truck with his mother and a friend of his. The 22-year-old reportedly had an argument inside the truck and wanted to get out. While it was running, he fell to the pavement and hit his head. He was rushed to a care center in Araure (where he lived), but soon after arrival, he was pronounced dead. 

Obviously, this is being investigated, but the driver of the vehicle has been arrested. 

(Here is the story from Portugues a Al Dia, and from El Pitazo). 

As an 18-year-old in 2018, he played 60 games in the DSL and hit .331/.369/.537 (.906) with 16 homers, four triples, and eight home runs. In 40 games in the GCL in 2019, he hit .257/.344/.316 (.660) with five doubles and a homer. 

He was released before the 2021 season. 

No less than 18 current Twins minor leaguers were teammates of Heredia in the 2019 GCL. Several others had a rehab appearance or two in the GCL that season. He also was at spring training in 2021, likely building upon more relationships. 

Join me in offering condolences to his friends and family. 

[gagu]

Very sad news. I interviewed Victor in 2018 and wrote a profile article for another site. He was a good guy. Between COVID and the ongoing troubles in Venezuela, it was an uphill battle for him to progress in the states. R.I.P,, Victor.

https://puckettspond.com/2018/07/26/minnesota-twins-prospect-victor-heredia/