CLEVELAND — Andrés Meléndez, a 20-year-old Cleveland Guardians prospect who played for the squad’s single-A affiliate in Lynchburg, died “suddenly” in Miami, the club announced on Thursday.
The club did not announce a cause of death.
The native of Venezuela spent his first two seasons of professional baseball in the Brewers organization. He was acquired by the Indians after the 2019 season.
Like most minor leaguers, Meléndez did not play in 2020 due to the pandemic.
With Lynchburg, Meléndez appeared in 73 games, hitting .247.
“Andrés is remembered by his teammates and friends as a positive, respectful, and thoughtful young man with a beautiful smile who had a profound impact on others,” the Cleveland Guardians said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed.”
