Reyes Moronta

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Reyes Moronta

|image = Reyes Moronta (48423950036) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Moronta with the San Francisco Giants in 2019

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date|1993|1|6}}

|birth_place = Santiago, Dominican Republic

|death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|7|28|1993|1|6}}

|death_place = Villa González, Dominican Republic

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 5

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = San Francisco Giants

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = May 24

|finalyear = 2023

|finalteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 10–11

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.05

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 202

|teams =

San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2019}}, {{mlby|2021}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2022}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2022}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2023}})

}}

Reyes Armando Moronta (January 6, 1993 – July 28, 2024) was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels. Moronta signed with the Giants as an international free agent in 2010 and played in MLB from 2017 to 2023. He died on July 28, 2024, in an all-terrain vehicle accident in the Dominican Republic.

Early life

Moronta was born January 6, 1993, to Francisco and Ivonne Moronta in Santiago in the Dominican Republic, the youngest of five children.{{cite web|author= |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/reyes-morontas-impossible-dreams-are-coming-true-in-the-giants-bullpen-061512663.html |title=Giants' Reyes Moronta's path from D.R. to San Francisco Giants |publisher=yahoo.com |date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} His father was a truck driver, and his mother rolled cigars at a local factory. He grew up in the 700-person rural town of Quinigua, {{convert|5|mi}} north of Santiago.{{Cite web|url=http://elquisqueyano.com/index.php/deportes/carreras/14791-reyes-moronta-desde-quinigua-a-las-grandes-ligas|title=Reyes Moronta: Desde Quinigua a Las Grandes Ligas|website=elquisqueyano.com}} For high school he attended Milagros Hernández Lyceum in Villa González.

Professional career

=San Francisco Giants=

==Minor leagues==

Moronta signed with the San Francisco Giants as an international free agent in September 2010 at 17 years of age for $15,000.{{cite web|last=Schulman |first=Henry |url=https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-put-starter-on-paternity-leave-call-up-12864263.php |title=Giants' reliever Reyes Moronta becoming a big bullpen key |publisher=SFGate |date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} He made his professional debut in 2011 with the Dominican Summer League Giants. He played for the Arizona League Giants in 2012. He played as a starting pitcher with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in 2013, Arizona League Giants in 2014, and Augusta GreenJackets in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/reyes-moronta-606625 |title=Reyes Moronta Stats, Fantasy & News |work=MLB.com |date= |access-date=November 19, 2019}}

Moronta played for the San Jose Giants in 2016 and went 0–3 with 14 saves (3rd in the California League) and a 2.59 ERA in 60 games (leading the league) in which he pitched 59 innings and struck out 93 batters (14.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched; leading the league).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moront000rey |title=Reyes Moronta Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |access-date=November 19, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=851a83ec&sort_by=SV |title=2016 California League Pitching Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |access-date=November 19, 2019}} His fastball reached as high as 100 mph.{{cite web|last=Brisbee |first=Grant |url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/5/11/15619350/reyes-moronta-sf-giants-prospect |title=Meet Reyes Moronta, your new favorite reliever |publisher=McCovey Chronicles |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} He was a mid-season All Star, and a MiLB organization All Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=606625#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL |title=Reyes Moronta Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats |publisher=Milb.com |date= |access-date=November 19, 2019}} The Giants added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-protect-five-rule-5-add-40-man-roster|title=Giants protect five from Rule 5, add to 40-man roster|date=November 18, 2016|publisher=|access-date=November 19, 2016}}

==Major leagues==

The Giants promoted Moronta to the major leagues on May 10, 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://www.richmond.com/sports/deceptive-reliever-reyes-moronta-promoted-from-squirrels-to-giants/article_4126b131-c211-5545-942a-2bac667efdda.html|title=Deceptive reliever Reyes Moronta promoted from Squirrels to Giants|last=O'Connor|first=John|work=Richmond Times-Dispatch|access-date=August 29, 2017|language=en}} During the 2017 season, Moronta pitched in seven games for the Giants, recording 11 strikeouts in 6{{fraction|2|3}} innings pitched (14.8 per 9 innings). In the minors, he pitched for three teams and was 3–1 with five saves and a 2.92 ERA. In 34 relief appearances, he pitched 37 innings and struck out 47 batters (11.4 per 9 innings).

In 2018, for the Giants, he was 5–2 with one save and a 2.49 ERA, as in 69 relief appearances (4th among NL rookies, and the most by a Giants rookie since Elias Sosa in 1973) he pitched 65 innings and struck out 79 batters (10.9 per 9 innings).{{cite web|last=Johnson |first=Dalton |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/giants-review-rookie-reyes-moronta-emerges-dominant-reliever |title=Giants Review: Rookie Reyes Moronta emerges as dominant reliever | NBCS Bay Area |publisher=NBC Sports |date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} He threw his four-seam fastball at an average 97.6 mph, and opposing batters hit .154 overall, .142 against his slider, and .132 as right-handed batters.{{cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/tabs.php?player=606625&p_hand=-1&ppos=-1&cn=200&compType=none&risp=0&1b=0&2b=0&3b=0&rType=perc&gFilt=&time=month&minmax=ci&var=traj&s_type=2&startDate=01/01/2018&endDate=12/26/2018 |title=Player Card: Reyes Moronta |publisher=Brooksbaseball.net |date=December 26, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} In one stretch, he tied a Major League streak with 12 straight appearances without allowing a hit.{{Cite web|url=https://aroundthefoghorn.com/2018/07/14/san-francisco-giants-reyes-moronta-ties-major-league-hitless-streak/|title=San Francisco Giants: Reyes Moronta Ties Major League Hitless Streak|date=July 14, 2018|website=Around the Foghorn}} He established the Giants record for fewest hits per 9 innings (4.71), with a minimum of 50 innings pitched.

In 2019, for the Giants, he was 3–7 with a 2.86 ERA, as in 56 relief appearances, he pitched 56.2 innings and struck out 70 batters (11.1 per 9 innings). He threw his four-seam fastball at an average 97.5 mph, and batters hit .123 against his slider.{{cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/tabs.php?player=606625&p_hand=-1&ppos=-1&cn=200&gFilt=&time=month&minmax=ci&var=traj&s_type=2&startDate=01/01/2019&endDate=01/01/2020&balls=-1&strikes=-1&b_hand=-1 |title=Player Card: Reyes Moronta |publisher=Brooksbaseball.net |date= |access-date=December 20, 2019}} In September 2019 he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and was expected to miss nine to eleven months.{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/2444513/reyes-moronta |title=Reyes Moronta, RP, San Francisco Giants, MLB Baseball |work=CBS Sports|date= |access-date=November 19, 2019}} He missed the 2020 season as a result.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2020/9/23/21452957/san-francisco-giants-reyes-moronta-injury|title=Reyes Moronta will not pitch in 2020|first=Brady|last=Klopfer|date=September 23, 2020|website=McCovey Chronicles}}

On May 17, 2021, Moronta was placed on the 60-day injured list with a mild sprained ligament in his elbow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/giants-claim-braden-bishop.html|title = Giants Claim Braden Bishop| date=May 17, 2021 }} On September 21, Moronta was removed from the 40-man roster and assigned to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.{{Cite web|url=https://aroundthefoghorn.com/2021/09/23/sf-giants-reyes-moronta-outright-waivers/|title=SF Giants: Reliever Reyes Moronta clears outright waivers| date=September 23, 2021 }} On October 14, Moronta elected free agency.{{Cite web |title=Players Recently Electing Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/players-recently-electing-free-agency-3.html |access-date=October 16, 2021 |website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=October 16, 2021 }}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On February 19, 2022, Moronta signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.{{cite web|title=Reyes Moronta se suma al bullpen escarlata|url=https://diablos.com.mx/reyes-moronta-se-suma-al-bullpen-escarlata/|website=diablos.com.mx|date=February 19, 2022|access-date=February 19, 2022|language=es}} However, on March 12, 2022, prior to the start of the Mexican League season, Moronta signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite news |title=Reliever Reyes Moronta Agrees To Minor League Deal With Dodgers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/reliever-reyes-moronta-agrees-to-minor-league-deal-with-dodgers/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |publisher=CBS News |date=March 12, 2022}} He began the season in Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Dodgers but was added to the major league roster on April 24.{{cite news |title=Dodgers select Reyes Moronta |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-dodgers-select-reyes-moronta |work=MLB.com |date=April 24, 2022}}

Moronta appeared in 22 games in the majors for Los Angeles, with a 4.18 ERA before he was designated for assignment on August 20.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Houston |title=Dodgers Dugout: Dustin May provides a big boost |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/newsletter/2022-08-22/dustin-may-dodgers-dugout |access-date=February 19, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 22, 2022}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On August 22, 2022, Moronta was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite news |title=D-backs roster moves August 22, 2022 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-d-backs-roster-moves-august-22-2022 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=August 22, 2022}} Moronta made 17 appearances for Arizona to close out the year. In 14 innings pitched, he logged a 2–2 record and 4.50 ERA while striking out 11 and collecting two saves. He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 18.{{Cite web|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3382829/arizona-diamondbacks-non-tender-reyes-moronta-tender-39-others/|title=Arizona Diamondbacks non-tender Reyes Moronta, tender 39 others|first=Arizona|last=Sports|date=November 19, 2022|website=Arizona Sports}}

=Texas Rangers=

On January 25, 2023, Moronta signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.{{cite news |title=Kennedy, Frazier among 5 to sign minor deals with Rangers |url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-mets-travis-jankowski-reyes-moronta-c84c86b2132a1633a41b3c70693ca76c |access-date=February 19, 2023 |work=Associated Press News |date=January 27, 2023}} Moronta struggled to a 15.88 ERA in spring training before he was released on March 24.{{Cite web|title=Reyes Moronta: Released by Rangers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reyes-moronta-released-by-rangers/amp/|access-date=March 24, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Diablos Rojos del México=

On April 3, 2023, Moronta signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-3-de-abril-de-2023|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva – 3 de abril de 2023|website=MiLB.com|language=ES|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=April 3, 2023}} In eight appearances for México, Moronta registered a 2.35 ERA with 13 strikeouts and one save in {{frac|7|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Categoría de ligamayoristas en México|url=https://www.milb.com/news/lmb-categoria-de-ligamayoristas-en-mexico|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On May 11, 2023, Moronta signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization.{{cite web|title=Angels' Reyes Moronta: Latches on with Angels|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-reyes-moronta-latches-on-with-halos/|access-date=May 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 11, 2023 |language=en}} He made three scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, striking out nine in 4.0 innings pitched. On May 21, Moronta's contract was selected to the active roster.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Reyes Moronta: Contract selected from Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-reyes-moronta-contract-selected-from-triple-a/|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 21, 2023 |language=en}} He made two appearances for the Angels, posting a 6.75 ERA in 1⅓ innings of work. On May 26, Moronta was designated for assignment following the promotion of Sam Bachman.{{cite web |title=Angels' Reyes Moronta: Designated for assignment |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-reyes-moronta-designated-for-assignment/ |website=CBS Sports |publisher=RotoWire Staff |language=en |date=May 26, 2023}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Salt Lake on May 29.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Reyes Moronta: Clears waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-reyes-moronta-clears-waivers/amp/|access-date=May 31, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 4, Moronta elected free agency.{{Cite web|title=Reyes Moronta: Goes free-agent route|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reyes-moronta-goes-free-agent-route/|access-date=October 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 5, 2023 |language=en}}

=Bravos de León=

On May 9, 2024, Moronta signed with the Bravos de León of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva – 9 de mayo de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-8-de-mayo-de-2024-x5904|access-date=May 10, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 19 appearances for the Bravos, he struggled to an 8.69 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 4 saves across {{fraction|19|2|3}} innings pitched. Moronta was released by León on July 25.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva – 25 de julio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-25-de-julio-de-2024|access-date=July 26, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}

Death

On July 28, 2024, Moronta died in a motor vehicle collision in Villa González, Dominican Republic. He was 31.{{cite news |last=Holleran |first=Andrew |title=Former MLB Pitcher Killed In Car Accident At 31 On Sunday Night |url=https://thespun.com/mlb/former-mlb-pitcher-killed-in-car-accident-at-31-on-sunday-night |work=The Spun |date=July 28, 2024 |access-date=July 28, 2024}} The crash occurred on an all-terrain vehicle outside of Moronta's father's house in Villa González.{{cite news |title=Muere el lanzador dominicano Reyes Moronta en un accidente de tránsito |url=https://elpregonerord.com/muere-el-lanzador-dominicano-reyes-moronta-en-un-accidente-de-transito/ |language=Spanish |work=El Pregonero |date=July 28, 2024 |access-date=July 29, 2024}}