Luis Guevara, a 19-year-old prospect in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, succumbed to injuries from a jet ski collision on June 15, 2025, near Lido Key, Sarasota, Florida. The incident took place around 8 p.m. when two personal watercraft collided head-on, ejecting all four individuals into the water.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that each watercraft carried two people at the time of the collision. Guevara was on one jet ski with Keiver Jose Guillen Reatiga, while the other carried 19-year-old Miguel Rodriguez and 20-year-old Jesus Palacios, both also Orioles prospects from Venezuela.
The Sarasota Police Department’s report described a chaotic scene upon officers’ arrival at South Lido Beach. Rodriguez and Palacios recounted to investigators that they were heading toward Guevara and Reatiga when their watercraft hit a wave, causing it to become airborne. They lost control, and the jet ski struck both men on the other watercraft while in the air, leading to their fall into the water.
However, witness Mariah Gonzalez offered a different perspective. She observed the watercraft being operated recklessly and expressed concern about their closeness to boats and children in the water. Gonzalez noticed one of the jet skis stalling, with its operator standing and waving his arms while shouting in Spanish to alert the other approaching watercraft. Despite these warnings, the collision occurred.
Nearby boaters and good Samaritans quickly assisted in bringing the injured men to shore. Gonzalez contacted 911 while others entered the water to assist. Emergency medical services arrived within five minutes and performed CPR before transporting both injured men to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
The police report outlined the injuries sustained by both victims. Reatiga experienced severe facial trauma, facial fractures, and lung damage, though he remained conscious and breathing. Guevara endured internal and brain trauma from the collision. Despite medical efforts, Guevara died from his injuries at the hospital.
Orioles General Manager Mike Elias confirmed Guevara’s death in a statement released Tuesday. “Luis was a beloved member of our organization, and we are devastated following his tragic passing,” Elias stated. The organization requested privacy for Guevara’s family, friends, and teammates during this challenging time.
The organization postponed several Florida Complex League games in response to the incident. Games scheduled for Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17, were canceled, and Thursday’s game against the Braves was also postponed. Initially, the team announced that some players were involved in a personal watercraft accident but did not immediately disclose the individuals involved.
Guevara joined Baltimore as an international free agent in January 2023 from Tinaco, Venezuela. He spent his initial two professional seasons with the Dominican Summer League Orioles in 2023 and 2024. The 2025 season marked his first playing year in the United States, during which he participated in 30 games across various levels of the organization.
The young infielder played 24 games with Single-A Delmarva, four with the Florida Complex League Orioles, and two with Double-A Chesapeake during the current season. He primarily played shortstop but also appeared at second base, third base, and left field throughout his minor league career.
When Baltimore signed Guevara, they recognized him as a potential leadoff hitter with exceptional skills. Team officials described him as one of the better Venezuelan hitters in the 2022-23 international class, highlighting his outstanding bat-to-ball skills and smooth swing from both sides of the plate. The switch-hitter displayed advanced hitting capability and power potential to the gaps throughout his development.
Over his minor league career spanning 114 games across four different teams, Guevara maintained a .281 batting average with 49 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. His statistical performance reflected the speed and offensive capabilities that initially attracted Baltimore’s scouting department to the young Venezuelan prospect.
The Major League Baseball Players Association also released a statement expressing condolences to Guevara’s family, friends, and teammates. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, with the case remaining active as authorities work to determine all contributing factors to the fatal accident.
