Angels Pitcher Tyler Skaggs Dies Aged 27, Mike Trout Leads Tributes

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died Monday at the team’s hotel ahead of their game against the Texas Rangers, which has now been postponed. He was 27 years old and had last pitched in Saturday’s game against Oakland Athletic.

The Southlake Police Department responded to emergency calls about an unresponsive male in a hotel room and Skaggs was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no foul play suspected in the death and an investigation was underway.

"Officers arrived and found the male unresponsive and he was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the statement from the police said, as quoted on Just Jared. A spokesperson for the police department said suicide was not suspected.

"It is with great sorrow that we report Tyler Skaggs passed away earlier today in Texas," an Angels statement said. "Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this devastating time."

Skaggs was drafted by the Angels straight of college as the 40th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut two years later with the Arizona Diamondbacks, to whom he was traded in 2010. He was traded back to the Angels after one season in 2013.

Angeles teammate Mike Trout was part of the same 2009 Draft class and was Skaggs’ roommate during their time in the low minor leagues, according to ESPN. The center fielder shared a touching tribute to the Angels pitcher and he was not alone. Andrew McMcutchen, the MLB and many others paid tribute, remembering the 27-year-old.