Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez has died this morning in a boating accident on Miami Beach, Florida.
The 24-year-old was one of three bodies found by the U.S. Coast Guard following a crash that saw their boat get overturned on the coastline's rocky shore.
Fernandez, a first round draft pick back in 2013, was known as one of the brightest young players in the MLB, having won the NL Rookie of the Year and two All-Star awards in his short career.
In a statement, the team said: "The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of José Fernández. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time".
Statement from the Miami Marlins organization: pic.twitter.com/6A4Rv6m2g9
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 25, 2016
The team's game against the Atlanta Braves later today has since been cancelled, and the Miami Dolphins will hold a moment's silence in honour of Fernandez before their NFL fixture with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.
Fernandez had just taken to Instagram five days ago to announce the pregnancy of his girlfriend, Carla Mendoza.
A photo posted by Jose Fernandez (@jofez16) on
A number of his fellow players have since come out to pay tribute to him, stating that he always played the game with sa smile on his face and that the loss of his huge personality would be felt by everyone who had met him.
You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro💔ðŸ™ðŸ½ #puiglovesyou pic.twitter.com/o3tqohRv5U
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016
VIDEO: Freddie Freeman at a loss for words on the death of Jose Fernandez. @680_The_Fan pic.twitter.com/Sdbs9XAurw
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) September 25, 2016
His manager, Don Mattingly, also paid an emotional tribute to the late star in a press conference on Sunday morning, saying: "There's just joy with him, when he played, and when he pitched. I think that's what the guys would say too. As mad as he would make you with some of the stuff he would do, you just see that little kid [in him]"
Marlins manager Don Mattingly breaks down talking about José Fernández: “There was just joy with him when he played” https://t.co/uxOTVvFXyy
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 25, 2016
