A talented pitching prospect for the Seattle Mariners has died after he was hit by a boat in his native Venezuela . Victor Sanchez , 20 , was swimming near the Playa Medina in the city of Carupano on February 14 when the propeller struck him in the head . The rising star , who signed for the MLB franchise when he was just 16 , was taken to a local hospital with multiple skull fractures and a cranial hematoma and underwent surgery . Doctors then placed him in an induced coma and transferred him to a larger facility in the country 's capital , Caracas , but he failed to recover from his extensive injuries and died on Saturday . Prospect : Talented pitcher Victor Sanchez has died after being hit by a boat in his native Venezuela . Tragic : The rising star was swimming off the coast in Playa Medina in the city of Carupano on February 14 when the propeller struck him in the head ( file picture ) According to The Seattle Times the tragic incident took place just days before he was due to report to a Mariner 's mini-camp in Arizona ahead of the start of the season . Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said : ' [ We ] are saddened to learn of the passing of Victor Sanchez . ' 'Victor was a tremendous young man and a wonderful teammate . He was a very talented player who was close to fulfilling his promise as a Major Leaguer . 'He will be missed by his teammates , and the coaches and staff at the Mariners . 'The entire Mariners organization sends our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time , ' Zduriencik added . Condolences : The Seattle Mariners uploaded a tribute by general manager Jack Zdurienick following news of Sanchez 's passing on Saturday . Sanchez was signed by the Mariners for $ 2.5million as an undrafted agent in 2011 . Those who played beside him took to social media to pay their respects after news of his death surfaced , . Teammate D.J Peterson tweeted : 'My prayers go out to the family of victor Sanchez I will always remember you ! R.I.P . Big man . ' Tyler Pike said : 'Really sad to hear the news . RIP Victor Sanchez . Great man , great teammate , and a great friend . You will be missed mi hermano . Patrick Kivelhan said : 'We lost a teammate but lost an even better person with the passing of Victor Sanchez tonight . Your memory will live on forever in my heart . ' Devastated : Patrick Kiivelhan was one of Sanchez 's teammates to share his respects for the talented player .
Victor Sanchez was near the Playa Medina on just days when he was hit . The boat 's propeller struck him in the head , causing multiple brain injuries . He was taken to hospital for surgery then placed in an induced coma . Was then transferred to a ward in Caracas , but failed to recover . Talented player signed for the MLB franchise when he was just 16 . Tragic incident took place February 14 before he was due to report for training .