The death of an 18-year-old Dominican prospect in the Nationals' baseball academy could bring about major changes in the way Major League Baseball teams keep young prospects healthy.
Yewri Guillen, 18, died suddenly on April 15 from bacterial meningitis. A report in the The Washington Post said that the Nationals will institute a new vaccination program in response to the unforeseen death, and other MLB teams may follow suit.
Guillen did receive treatment once diagnosed, but he had not been inoculated — a practice that is common in the United States and keeps the disease from affecting many people.
Though Guillen's contract had not officially been approved by MLB, therefore preventing him from having health insurance, the Nationals paid for his medical expenses throughout his fight with the disease. After Guillen's death, veteran MLB pitcher Livan Hernandez collected money in the Nationals' clubhouse, quickly gathering $6,000 to send to Guillen's family, according to the report.
