Baseball world rocked by death of former top prospect at age 21

The baseball world has been rocked by the tragic death of former top prospect Darwyn Encarnacion at the age of 21.

Encarnacion, who was formally a top prospect in the New York Mets system, reportedly died in the Dominican Republic on Thursday in a car accident.

TELLING MOVE: Rafa Nadal takes action amid reports around wife

'MESSED UP': Rory McIlroy explodes in wild tantrum at US Open

MLB insider Hector Gomez reported that Encarnacion was driving an SUV that left the road and went off a bridge in La Vega.

The baseballer later died at a local hospital.

Video has emerged on social media of locals gathering around the mangled remains of Encarnacion's car.

"The SUV that Darwyn Encarnacion was driving was totally destroyed after falling into the void. Rest in peace," Gomez tweeted.

Baseball rocked by death of Darwyn Encarnacion

The outfielder was with the Mets in 2019, playing in 35 games for their Dominican Summer League team.

He had a batting average of .248 with a .651 OPS in 129 plate appearances, as well as one home run and 10 stolen bases.

He was released the following year.

“He was a great human being, very disciplined, respectful and polite," said an executive for the Mets academy in the Dominican Republic.

"He played with us for just one year, in 2019. He was even using his scholarship that the team gave him when he signed and was currently studying at university."

Tributes have been pouring in on social media after the devastating news.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.