Baseball community mourns loss of Skaggs

Angels pitcher passes away at age 27 on Monday

July 2nd, 2019

The baseball community is mourning the loss of one of its own Monday. Angels pitcher , 27, died Monday in Southlake, Texas, at age 27, the team announced.

"Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family," the organization said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time."

Below are the responses to the tragic news from around the league.

Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner (via statement): “I am deeply saddened by today’s tragedy in Texas. All of us at Major League Baseball extend our deepest condolences to Tyler’s wife Carli, their family, their friends and all of his Angels’ teammates and colleagues. We will support the Angels’ organization through this most difficult period, and we will make a variety of resources available to Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family.”

Mike Trout, Angels outfielder:

Chris Woodward, Rangers manager, whose game against the Angels on Monday night was postponed: "It’s one of those moments where you are numb to life. I personally heard tremendous things about him. Everybody spoke highly of him. Just a sad situation."

"There were a lot of emotional guys in there [the Rangers' clubhouse]. You could tell that. Some guys knew him. [Jesse] Chavez had actually played with him in LA. Some guys who didn’t even know him were pretty physically shaken, you can tell. This happens far too often, I feel like. Jose Fernandez, there have been a few tragedies recently, and it’s just heart-breaking. You can tell our guys were pretty upset."

"He wasn’t a guy that I enjoyed having to go up against. It seemed like no matter whether I was in Seattle or LA, or here, obviously, he gave all the teams I coached fits. He was a really promising arm. Everything that I had heard -- I liked asking around about him because he was an intriguing guy, really good stuff. But I wanted to know personally who he was and everybody spoke very, very highly of him from a character standpoint. He was a guy that it was tough to root against because you had heard such good things about him. He dominated us at times. It was hard to be mad at the guy knowing that the character was so good and he was so well liked among his coaches and players. It’s just awful to think that that’s not going to be around anymore."

Jon Daniels, Rangers president of baseball operations and general manager: "On behalf of the Rangers organization, all of us here, players, staff, everybody is obviously saddened by the news today. We want to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to Tyler’s family and the Angels organization and all that knew him."

"MLB reached out to us and let us know what had happened. Asked us for our thoughts, and I happened to be sitting there with [Woodward] so we kind of looked at each other and nodded. We certainly wouldn’t want to play if we were ever in that situation. That was our first thought, and [we] called [co-chairman] Ray Davis. He confirmed the same, called MLB back. Whatever the Angels need at this point takes priority."

"We were sitting there talking about, what is protocol? Forget the games, but communicating with your people. God forbid it happens, communicating with the employee’s family -- stuff you just can’t prepare for. Honestly, I was thinking about it more as a dad than as a GM. You think about how fortunate we are, all the things that can happen, but there’s no preparation or planning that gets you ready for that."

Jonathan Lucroy, Angels catcher:

Trevor Bauer, Indians pitcher, who played with Skaggs in the D-backs' Minor Leagues:

Jered Weaver, former Angels pitcher (2006-16):

Bryce Harper, Phillies outfielder (via Instagram): "By far the nastiest prep arm I ever faced. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler's family! Gone too soon! RIP".

Giancarlo Stanton (via Instagram): "RIP Bro, My heart goes out to your family. My message to the @angels while having no time for yourself to grieve is to hug each other, laugh, cry, lift the ones taking it extra hard up. You’re going to wonder why all of this is happening, is it real, why are u suiting up to play a game that seems irrelevant. Some Anger will ensue while u have to grieve in a fish bowl.. A lot will go through your mind. So stay together through that. The first days back to schedule are the weirdest feeling, from the energy to the questions to having to walk by his locker. Try to Focus & understand how important your strength is for his family, all of your supporters & anyone looking for the power to overcome something. They’re looking @ you for guidance. So you all really need each other right now. Stay strong fellas I’m thinking about you!"

Jo Adell, Angels' top prospect:

C.J. Cron, Twins first baseman and Skaggs' former teammate with Angels:

Trevor Williams, Pirates starting pitcher: "I’m thankful for my health. I’m thankful I was able to pitch today. It’s a tough elephant in the room. We lost Skaggs today. He’s part of the brotherhood. I didn’t know him personally. I know a lot of guys that have played with him. I’m thankful that I’m here. I’m thankful that I get to hug my family tonight. My heart goes with his family. Life is precious. Life is sacred. It’s really unfortunate, man. Baseball’s not the most important thing in the world. I hope, as ballplayers and as fans, we can see that and have it be a little sobering effect where you maybe smile a little more, hug your family. My best friend lost his dad yesterday, and we lose a ballplayer today. It’s sobering. We’re all going to die. We don’t know when. We just have to hope in the eternal."

Andrew McCutchen, Phillies outfielder:

Chipper Jones, Hall of Fame third baseman:

San Diego Padres:

Andy Green, Padres manager, who coached Skaggs in instructional ball in 2011: "Great guy. My heart breaks for his family. ... It's heartbreaking for everybody that knows him, has ever been around him. It's a tough day. It hits home for everybody in baseball, because it's a tight-knit community."

Brandon Hyde, Orioles manager: “Our heart goes out to his family, his wife, the Angels organization. It just happened, so we’re pretty shocked right now and feel terrible for everybody involved. Just wanted to say how sorry we are. Our heart goes out to the Skaggs family and Angels organization.

"It’s a small community and a small fraternity of guys who care about each other. We compete for three hours every day, but when something like this happens it affects everybody. It just sucks.”

Alex Bregman, Astros third baseman:

Delino DeShields, Rangers outfielder:

Nelson Cruz, Twins designated hitter:

Cameron Maybin, Yankees outfielder who played for the Angels in 2017:

Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays pitcher:

Luke Bard, Angels pitcher:

Huston Street, former Angels pitcher (2014-17):

Parker Bridwell, Angels Minor Leaguer who was in the big leagues with Skaggs in 2017 and '18:

Shane Robinson, former Angels outfielder (2016-17):

Martin Maldonado, Royals catcher who played for the Angels in 2017-18:

Max Stassi, Astros catcher:

Jared Walsh, Angels two-way player:

Phil Hughes, former Yankees, Twins and Padres pitcher:

Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association (via statement): "The fraternity of players is stunned and saddened today by the untimely death of Tyler Skaggs, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Tyler's wife, Carli, and the rest of his family, teammates and friends."

Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com Angels beat writer:

Cody Decker, D-backs Minor Leaguer:

Michael Hermosillo, Angels Minor League outfielder:

Jeff Fletcher, Angels beat writer for the Southern California News Group:

Tampa Bay Rays:

Oakland Athletics:

Alden Gonzalez, ESPN reporter and former MLB.com Angels beat writer:

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Fabian Ardaya, Angels beat writer for The Athletic: