Orioles minor leaguer dies in Sarasota personal watercraft crash

A minor league baseball player has died as a result of a personal watercraft crash Sunday in Sarasota.

Luis Guevara, 19, who was a Single-A player in the Baltimore Orioles farm system, died Sunday off Lido Key when he was involved in a head-on watercraft collision.

“Luis was a beloved member of our organization, and we are devastated following his tragic passing,” said Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias in a statement released by the team. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates and we ask for their continued privacy during this difficult time.” 

According to the Orioles, Guevara was signed as an international free agent out of Tinaco, Venezuela, in January 2023. He appeared in 30 games this year, his first season in the U.S., playing in 24 games with single-A Delmarva, four with the Florida Complex League Orioles, and two with Double-A Chesapeake. He spent his first two professional seasons with the Dominican Summer League Orioles.