Reds minor leaguer killed, two others injured in car crash in Dominican Republic

Jairo Capellán, a minor league player in the Cincinnati Reds organization, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Saturday morning and two more Reds players were injured, the team said.

Capellán, a 6-foot-8 pitcher, signed with the Reds in June 2017 and played for the Reds in the Dominican Summer League last season. He was 19.

"Jairo was a talented young pitcher with a bright future who was taken from us much too soon," Reds Latin America Field Coordinator Joel Noboa said. "He will be missed by everyone who knew him — his teammates, coaches and our Dominican Academy staff."

Raul Hernandez, a 19-year-old pitcher, is in critical condition at a local hospital and Emilio Garcia, a 19-year-old outfielder, is in stable condition. Both players were teammates with Capellán in the Dominican Summer League.

Hernandez signed with the Reds in June 2017 and Garcia signed in July 2017. All three players involved in the crash are natives of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

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"We received this terrible news and send our condolences and support to the families, friends and teammates of Jairo, Raul and Emilio," Reds owner Bob Castellini said. "Our Dominican operations are an integral part of the Reds organization, and this tragedy affects us all. We will remain closely involved to help everyone through this difficult time."

A radio station in the Dominican Republic, Operación Deportiva, reported the crash happened on a highway near Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.

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