Reyes Moronta, a pitcher for the Bravos de Leon in the Mexican League and who recently played in Major League Baseball, tragically passed away at the age of 31.
Sadly, the reports indicate that Moronta lost his life in a traffic accident in the Dominican Republic while riding a four-wheeler.
Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Reyes Moronta. We hope that his family and friends find solace in the face of this tragic news.
Sending our love up to heaven 🕊️. pic.twitter.com/BM54bbfVSe
— Bravos de León (@NacimosBravos) July 29, 2024
During his major league career, Moronta appeared in 177 games as a reliever, boasting a record of 10-11 with a 3.05 ERA and 202 strikeouts over 171.1 innings. He played for teams such as the San Francisco Giants (2017-21), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022), Arizona Diamondbacks (2022), and Los Angeles Angels (2023).
This season with Leon, Moronta had a challenging record of 2-4 with an 8.69 ERA in 19 games. He was set to play for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican League for the upcoming winter season.
Moronta was initially signed by the Giants in 2010 after starting his career in the Dominican Republic. Known for his fastball/slider combo, Moronta made his MLB debut in September 2017.
Reyes Moronta had the 6th best ERA in SF Giants history (minimum 132 IP). A truly dominant pitcher taken far too soon in his prime. pic.twitter.com/uW2enOrvTD
— Brennan 🍉 (@BayAreaBrennan) July 29, 2024
Despite setbacks like shoulder surgery in September 2019 and an elbow sprain in 2021, Moronta showcased his talent with the Giants, boasting a 2.65 ERA in 136 games.
Moving to the Dodgers in 2022, Moronta pitched for both Los Angeles and the Diamondbacks, finishing with a combined 4.30 ERA in 39 games.
Following his release by the Rangers in 2023, Moronta signed with the Angels, where he finished his MLB career with two games and then transitioned to their Triple-A affiliate.
Tragically, Moronta passed away due to a fatal accident while riding a four-wheeler near his father’s residence in the Dominican Republic. Father’s Day was being observed in the country on the day of the incident.