Washington Nationals: Catcher Wilson Ramos Kidnapped from His Home in Venezuela

According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, sources have confirmed that Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped from his home town of Valencia, Venezuela.

The 24-year-old began his baseball career as part of the Minnesota Twins farm system. He gradually worked his way up, became noticed and was traded to the Nationals where he played his rookie season in 2011. The Post referred to Ramos as "one of the Nationals’ best, most promising players."

Ramos was taken from his home Wednesday night by four armed men, and the abductors drove a green SUV. The vehicle has since been found abandoned in a nearby town. According to Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami, anti-kidnapping units were dispatched to the area in central Carabobo state.

Ramos had planned to play 10 games for the Venezuelan winter baseball league during the MLB offseason. A representative of the league, Enrique Brito, said, “I bet you that they will ask him for money, they all ask for money. I pray to the Lord that Wilson will be released soon.”

Kidnappings are becoming increasingly common in these Latin countries, and the tragedy is no stranger to MLB athletes and their families:

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In 2008, brother of another former Twins' catcher, Henry Blanco, was kidnapped and killed. The Washington Post report continues saying, "In 2009, Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba paid a ransom to get his son back, and pitcher Victor Zambrano’s mother was rescued in a raid".

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The concern at this point is that the abductors have yet to make any contact with the catcher's family.

Ramos and his family are in the thoughts and prayers of many, including past and current teammates who have expressed their worry and sympathy on Twitter.

To read more about the situation, visit ESPN.com.