Washington Nationals Prospect Fausto Segura Dies at Age 23

Washington Nationals pitching prospect Fausto Segura has died in a motorcycle accident. Segura 23, was hit by a van while riding a motorcycle in the Dominican Republic this past Sunday night. The accident occurred near the Barahona airport.

Nationals Statement

The Nationals released this statement following the death of Segura:

“The Washington Nationals are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Fausto Segura, a 23-year-old pitcher who spent the 2019 season with our short-season affiliate Auburn Doubledays. He was beloved by his teammates, coaches, coordinators and everyone he came in contact with throughout our organization. We extend our deepest sympathies to Fausto’s family, friends and loved ones in their time of grief.”

The Washington Nationals are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Fausto Segura. pic.twitter.com/vPP0M7FNuR

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 13, 2020

Fausto Segura’s Career

Segura was signed by the Nationals as an international free agent when he was 20 years old. He made his debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2017. In 2018 Segura pitched in the Gulf Coast League. Last season Segura pitched for the Auburn Doubledays of the New York Penn League.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fausto Segura, a 2019 New York Penn League All Star. He will be greatly missed and we are thinking of his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/UajGMGSBzf

— Auburn Doubledays (@Doubledays) January 13, 2020

In three seasons Segura had a 4-6 record with 3 saves and a 3.88 ERA and a 1.396 WHIP. In 67 innings pitched Segura struck out 65 batters. Segura was an All-Star in 2019 for Auburn.

Segura’s Potential

The right-handed Segura stood at 6-foot-3 and was starting to open up some eyes within the Nationals organization. Johnny DiPuglia is the assistant general manager of international operations and said he showed some upside.

“He was starting to take off,” DiPuglia said of Segura. “We were excited about him. But the thing we were most excited about him was how his maturation had improved.”

“So that’s the sad thing. The kid was starting to figure some things out, and then this happens.”“A lot of reason behind our success is due to the way we care about these kids,” DiPuglia said. “They become family, and they know that we’re on their side. So when you do lose one of them like this, it hurts like you’re losing one of your kids. That’s how close you get to them. You talk to people who worked with him at different levels, and they all say the same thing: He was a kid that had come a long way, and he had a bright future.”