The beginning of July brought sadness to fans of the MLB everywhere, as Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs passed away at the age of 27 on July 1st. A starter for the Angels who pitched as recently as two days ago, Skaggs would have turned 28 years old on July 13.
Skaggs made his way through the MLB after being drafted by the Angels 40th overall in 2009 draft, making a stop in Arizona from 2010-2012 as a part of the outgoing package for starter Dan Haren. He returned to his hometown team – and the team that drafted him – in 2013 as the Diamondbacks traded Skaggs back to LA.
So far in 2019, Skaggs had made 15 starts and earned a 7-7 record with a 4.29 record and 78 strikeouts for the Angels as a key contributor to their starting rotation. He was on pace to set career highs in innings pitched, wins and season WAR this year.
Skaggs leaves behind his wife Carli, whom he had recently married in December of 2018, as well as countless friends and family members. His importance to the team has been easy to know too, as his teammates, both former and current, have publicly talked about the kind of person he was, both on the field and off the diamond.
No foul play is suspected by the authorities, who reported that Skaggs was found unresponsive in a hotel in the Dallas-Fort Worth area today. The Angels were in Texas about to begin a four-game series with the Texas Rangers.
Today’s game was canceled but the remaining three games are still scheduled to on as planned.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler’s wife, friends, family and teammates in this time of sorrow and mourning.
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