Former AquaSox pitcher Sanchez dies at the age of 20

The Seattle Mariners confirmed Saturday night that Venezuelan pitching prospect Victor Sanchez, who played for the Everett AquaSox in 2012, has died from injuries he received on February 13 when he was hit in the head by a boat propeller while swimming off Carupano, Venezuela.

Sanchez, 20, suffered the injury while swimming off a beach at Carupano on the Venezuela’s north central coast. He was initially treated at Carupano before being transferred to facilities in Caracas.

“The Seattle Mariners are saddened to learn of the passing of Victory Sanchez,” said Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President &General Manager Jack Zduriencik. “Victor was a tremendous young man and a wonderful teammate. He was a very talented player who was close to fulfilling his promise as a major leaguer. He will be missed by his teammates, and the coaches and staff at the Mariners.

“The entire Mariners organization sends our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

Lavinotinto.com reported last month that he underwent a craniectomy to allow the draining of hemotomas. A craniectomy is a procedure in which a portion of the skull is removed and not immediately replaced.

Ongoing reports thereafter from Venezuela cited Sanchez’s condition as critical.

Sanchez, a Venezuelan native, signed with the Mariners as a 16-year-old in 2011 for a $2.5 million bonus.

Sanchez compiled a 6-2 record with a 3.18 ERA for the AquaSox in 2012. He was 7-6 with a 4.19 ERA last season at Double-A Jackson before making seven starts for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League.

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