The Oakland Athletics announced Friday that former minor league player Miguel Marte died this week at the age of 30 from complications brought on by COVID-19.
Marte was a Dominican Republic native who joined the A's organization in 2008 and played through the 2012 season. He played catcher, first base and outfield primarily played in the Dominican Summer League, Arizona League and New York-Pennsylvania League, and never advanced beyond A-level baseball.
In 227 games across five minor league seasons, Marte hit .251 with 16 home runs, 117 RBI, 79 runs scored and four stolen bases. His best statistical season came in 2011 with the Arizona League's AZL Athletics, as he hit .299 with six homers and 26 RBI in 39 games.
While MLB officials have maintained their desire to have a season and belief that it will happen in some capacity, no concrete plans have been announced. The Athletics posted a link to a GoFundMe page where fans can donate money to help support Marte's family; the team donated $1,000 to the fundraiser.
The MLB has announced they intend to begin the season in late June, in a reformed league that will feature 10 divisions of teams in the same vicinity, who won't play outside their division all season long.