Jesus Montero, who was once the New York Yankees’ top minor league prospect and made his MLB debut with the club in 2011, has died following a tragic motorcycle accident earlier this month. Montero was 35.
The Yankees announced Montero’s passing in a social media post Sunday afternoon.
“The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones,” the team’s statement read.
The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones. pic.twitter.com/jlfUpPmgMt
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 19, 2025
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League also confirmed the sad news on social media, according to ESPN Deportes.
“Today, Venezuelan baseball is in mourning. Jesús Montero , a former New York Yankees prospect with five years of experience in the Major Leagues and six seasons in the LVBP with Navegantes del Magallanes, Cardenales de Lara, and Águilas del Zulia, passed away in Valencia,” the league said in a statement.
“Thank you for every at-bat, for every home run, for every day you proudly defended our colors.”
Montero severely injured two weeks ago
According to a GoFundMe founded on Oct. 6, Montero was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in his native Venezuela on Saturday, Oct. 4. He was reportedly riding the motorcycle when it was struck by a pickup truck.
“He is currently in critical condition, with multiple leg fractures, several broken ribs, and significant lung and organ damage,” the GoFundMe description read. “Doctors have had to keep him in an induced coma to facilitate oxygenation and stabilize his condition. He will also be undergoing dialysis to help his renal system.”
Venezuelan media had previously reported that Montero was in critical condition at Dr. Enrique Tejera Hospital in Valencia.
A life cut tragically short
Montero last played professional baseball in the Venezuelan league in 2020. At one time, he was one of the top prospects in minor league baseball and the Yankees’ No. 1 minor leaguer.
In 2011, Montero debuted with the Bronx Bombers, hitting four home runs and batting .328/.406/.590 in 18 games. He also went 2-for-2 with an RBI in one playoff appearance that fall.
The Yankees traded Montero to the Seattle Mariners in January 2012 as the centerpiece in a deal involving right-handed starter Michael Pineda. Montero played four seasons in Seattle, hitting 24 home runs in 208 games while slashing .247/.285/.383.
