Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Alexander Figueredo, a left-handed pitching prospect in the Yankees organization, was killed last month in his native Venezuela. He was 20 and a native of Valencia.According to the New York Post and Venezuelan outlet Notitarde, Figueredo was shot and killed at a house party in Guacara, Venezuela.Figueredo had missed the entire 2016 season because he was on the suspended/restricted list. He was not expected to return to the Yankees organization next year, according to the Post. He last appeared in the Dominican Summer League in 2015, where he pitched in 12 games, with a 1.89 ERA and 52 strikeouts to 22 walks.The reason behind the shooting has not been given or reported, but Venezuela is roiling right now. President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency in May, and what was once the richest country in South America has become one of its most dangerous and desperate. Baseball scouts and officials are now wary of entering the country and take precautions when visiting.Officials have taken to traveling with bodyguards inside the country and teams have taken out insurance policies on executives there in case they are kidnapped.