San Diego Padres pitching prospect Humberto Cruz, 19, has been found guilty of involvement in transporting illegal immigrants in Arizona and will be effectively deported from the United States.
Padres prospect Humberto Cruz was found guilty of transporting illegal immigrants. (Photo: Reuters)
Cruz was arrested last October after responding to a social media post that promised “easy money.” He admitted knowing that the two Mexican nationals he transported were in the country illegally, and was set to receive $1,000 (approximately 157,000 yen) per person. The young pitcher, who had been ranked as the Padres’ fifth-best prospect, now faces a minimum 10-year ban on obtaining a U.S. work visa.
The shocking news was reported by the New York Post, and fans on social media expressed a mix of anger, disappointment, and sorrow. Comments included “Sad… traded a brilliant future for a few bucks,” “As a Padres fan I’m angry but we have to move on,” “He had everything and threw it away himself,” “That young man ruined himself,” “He’s a complete fool,” and “Threw away a promising career in the most foolish way.” The potential future ace paid an extremely heavy price for a relatively small amount of money.