On April 19, 2024, ex-Houston Astros prospect Ronny Garcia was fatally involved in a traffic accident. The incident took place on the Las Galeras-Samaná highway in Samaná, Dominican Republic, and involved two motorcycles. Also killed in the crash were Garcia’s father and one other individual. Garcia was 24 years old at the time of the accident.
Garcia, a native of Samaná in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, was a rising star within the Astros’ ranks. He began his career with the team in 2016 at the age of 16, signing as an international free agent. Over several seasons, he made his way up through the team’s minor league system.
From 2017 to 2023, Garcia compiled a record of nine wins and 15 losses while playing in the Astros’ minor leagues. After starting his career in the Dominican Summer League teams, he moved to the United States in 2021. In the U.S., he showcased his talent with a 2.11 ERA during stints in the Florida Complex League and with Class-A Fayetteville.
In 2022, Garcia continued to make strides, allowing only one run over 18.1 innings while playing for the same teams. Throughout his professional career, which included 122 games and 186.2 innings, Garcia maintained a 3.42 ERA. He surrendered 170 hits, 71 earned runs, and eight home runs, issued 100 walks, and had 200 strikeouts.
Garcia’s last professional commitment was with the York (Pennsylvania) Revolution for the 2024 season. The Revolution is part of the Atlantic League, a semi-professional baseball league unaffiliated with Major League Baseball. When Garcia joined the team, Revolution manager Rick Forney said, “He’s a promising young addition to our bullpen. His career statistics are impressive, and he’s a fascinating young pitcher. I’m eager to see him expand beyond a single-inning role, possibly as a bridge in the sixth or seventh inning. I’m looking forward to working with him closely.”
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Garcia’s former team, expressed their grief over his loss. They said, “Ronny was with Fayetteville for three seasons, always seen smiling at the ballpark. He was a skilled pitcher and a cherished team member. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family in these tough times.”
Tributes have flooded social media from fans, teammates, and baseball organizations, all expressing their sorrow at the premature loss of a promising talent. The Astros organization also expressed their deep regret over Garcia’s death, extending their sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
