Red Sox Pay Tribute To Prospect Daniel Flores, Dead At 17 Of Cancer

The baseball world is grappling with a second death this week.

Daniel Flores Death News

The Boston Red Sox revealed Wednesday that Daniel Flores, a catcher who signed with the team this summer, died of complications during treatment for cancer. He was 17.

“Everyone at the Red Sox was shocked to hear of Daniel’s tragic passing,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in the statement. “To see the life of a young man with so much promise cut short is extremely saddening for all of us. On behalf of the Red So organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Daniel’s family.”

The Venezuelan youngster was viewed as one of the top international prospects this year. Some even went as far as to call Flores the best international catching prospect since the New York Yankees’ Gary Sanchez. He was ranked Boston’s No. 5 prospect.

When he signed with the Red Sox on July 2, and earned a $3.1 million signing bonus in the process. He came to Boston recently to receive treatment.

Flores’ passing follows that of former Philadelphia and Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay, who died on Tuesday at age 40 in a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Every member of organization who got to know Daniel absolutely loved him. He was energetic, hard-working, and genuinely selfless, always with a smile on his face,” Red Sox senior vice president and assistant general manager Eddie Romero said in the statement. “He cared for his teammates and was a natural leader. I’m at a loss for words today. Daniel was an impressive young man with limitless potential, and his life was cut far too short.

“My condolences go out to Daniel’s mother and sister. Though with us for a short time, Daniel will always be a part of the Red Sox family.”

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo — who won the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award on Wednesday — expressed his condolences:

The 6-foot-1 switch-hitter Flores had been expected to play in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 2018.