Cleveland Guardians minor league catcher Andrés Meléndez dies at age 20

Cleveland Guardians minor league catcher Andrés Meléndez died suddenly Thursday afternoon in Miami at the age of 20, the team announced.

In 2021, Meléndez played for Cleveland's Low-A minor league team, the Lynchburg Hillcats. He hit .250 in 36 games played. Meléndez began his professional career in the Milwaukee Brewers organization before being traded to Cleveland on Nov. 20, 2019 in a deal that sent infielder Mark Mathias to Milwaukee.

"Meléndez is remembered by his teammates and friends as a positive, respectful and thoughtful young man with a beautiful smile who had a profound impact on others. He will be greatly missed," the Guardians wrote in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, teammates and those who knew him."

Meléndez was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, on May 21, 2001.