Above is a picture I snapped at January’s Twinsfest, of some members of the organization (including, prominently, Miguel Sano) playing human foosball with some kids. The man turned to look behind him, just to the left of Sano, is pitching prospect Yorman Landa.
Landa was killed in a car accident in his native Venezuela on Friday night.
The impressions I had of Landa were of a kid really enjoying the attention, while at the same time getting really invested in a silly little game with some kids. This will be my lasting image of him, as someone with a zeal for life, and one with an eager eye towards the Major Leagues some day soon.
Landa played last season with the Fort Myers Miracle, and had a reputation as a fireballer, who had a fastball that touched the upper 90s, with a potential to climb into the triple digits. In Fort Myers last year, he had a 3.89 ERA out of the bullpen, with 8.4k/9, and according to his agent, he thought that this was the year that he would reach the major Leagues.
In the past week, Landa was designated for assignment and released, with the promise of re-signing with the Twins. The promise was kept. The Twins wanted to keep him, and Landa wanted to be here. Everyone that knew him had good things to say about him, and it’s very clear that a young man with a bright future was taken far too soon.
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