Former Dodgers pitcher Reyes Moronta passed away at the age of 31 after a tragic car accident on Sunday night. According to the reports of MLB insider Hector Gomez, he breathed his last in his homeland, the Dominican Republic, when he was driving a car in traffic on his way back home. Moronta pitched in six total seasons for the Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Angels. In his 177 career appearances, he pitched in 171 1/3 innings at an ERA of 3.05.

Bravos de Leon, Reyes’s ex-MLB team in the 2024 Mexican League, also announced this devastating news through a social media post on X. Joining the Dodgers in 2022, Reyes Moronta had appeared in 22 games. He pitched in 23.2 innings and struck out 27 batters during his tenure. This year, Reyes was released on July 25, just a few days ago before his tragic death. 

A closer look at Reyes Moronta’s personal & professional life

Moronta was the youngest of the five children of Ivonne and Francisco Moronta. He was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, where he spent most of his childhood. While his father, Francisco, was a truck driver, his mother, Ivonne, worked in a cigar factory. At 17 years old, Moronta started his pro career in September 2010, when he signed a contract with the San Francisco Giants on a $15,000 bonus.

Thereafter, the right-handed pitcher made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League and scored an impressive 2.13 ERA in 42 ⅓ innings. Accumulating good stats, Moronta made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2017. In the next two years, the Dominican pitcher had a dominant ERA of 2.66 and elevated his walkout rate to 13.8%. Unfortunately, he underwent surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right shoulder in September 2019. He also missed the 2020 MLB season while recovering from his injury.

Towards the end of 2021, Reyes Moronta elected to be a free agent. Eventually, in 2022, for the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, he posted a strong 4.30 ERA in 37 ⅔ innings. On May 21, 2023, Moronta signed a minor league contract with the Angels. Making two appearances for the Los Angeles Angels, he posted a 6.75 ERA in his 1 ½ innings. Yet again, on October 4, 2023, he chose to be a free agent until the Bravos de Leon signed him in May 2024. For the Leon, Reyes Moronta made 19 appearances but struggled with just 24 strikeouts and four saves. As this heartbreaking incident made headlines, fans shared their condolences on social media,  

MLB fans remember Ex-Dodgers pitcher Moronta

In a span of eight years in MLB, Reyes Moronta gave plenty of good moments to cherish for the fans. Mourning on his sudden loss, one fan said, “This is horrible news, my friend. Rest in peace.” 

For the Dodgers, Reyes Moronta played as a right-handed reliever from February 19, 2022, to August 20, 2022. In 22 games with the Blue Crew, he had a decent 4.18 ERA and walked out 10 batters during his Dodgers tenure. Another user remembered these accolades, honoring Moronta’s legacy in the sport.

Son of a truck driver, Reyes grew up in a small town towards the north of Santiago. He attended the high school in nearby Villa Gonzales, the same town from where New York Mets shortstop Jose Reys came from. One commenter highlighted the heartbreaking situation of his friends and family as they paid respects to Reyes Moronta’s memories. 

For the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees last year in 2023, Reyes Moronta went for three scoreless appearances. Also, extending the lead, he struck out nine batters in the 4.0 innings Moronta pitched, a feat noticed by fans. Recalling his prowess in the sport, another user shared their distress, noting Moronta as one of their favorites.

In 2018 for the San Francisco Giants, he got 5-2 with one save and an ERA of 2.49 in 69 appearances. With the record, he ranked fourth among all the NL rookies and most by any Giant rookie since Ellias Sosa in 1973. Followed by 2019, he scored 3-7 with another 2.86 ERA in only 56 appearances as a relief pitcher. He pitched 56.2 and struck out seventy batters. These milestones defined his baseball legacy, with one fan paying their tributes in a remembrance note for Reyes.

Setting records between 2018 and 2019, Reyes Moronta underwent a major slump after his shoulder injury in 2019. He could have showcased his caliber further if he was fit, but these setbacks never impacted his passion for the sport. The baseball world will miss you, Moronta! Rest in Peace.