According to reports from multiple media outlets, St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras was killed in an automobile accident near the rookie’s home in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, along with his girlfriend, 18-year-old Edilia Arvelo.
Multiple reports are out that Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras has died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic.
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) October 27, 2014
Taveras’ final at-bat at Busch Stadium, where he homered in his big league debut earlier in the season, came in the National League Championship Series against the San Francisco Giants, when he clubbed a game-tying, pinch-hit home run in Game 2. The Cardinals would eventually go on to lose the series in five games, but it was a picturesque moment for the young rookie, who had been long-ancticipated as the organization’s best pure hitter since Albert Pujols.
"“He’s was a 22-year-old in the big leagues, and we saw some glimpses of some great things,” St. Louis infielder Daniel Descalso told MLB.com. “He was the type of guy that his smile was infectious. You could tell he had a good time on the field and playing. I think we’ll all remember his first hit being that home run. What a special moment that was for him. I think everyone was excited to see what the future had in store for him. It’s heartbreaking that we’re not going to be able to see that.”"
The 22-year-old Taveras won three batting titles during his minor league career, and joined the big league team for 80 games in 2014, struggling in his rookie season, posting a batting line of just .239/.278/.312 with three home runs and 22 RBIs.
Prior to the season, Taveras was ranked as the third-best prospect in all of Major League Baseball by Baseball America, and was off to yet-another red-hot start with Triple-A Memphis prior to his call-up. In 62 games with the Redbirds, the outfielder batted .318/.370/.502 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs.
Taveras’ tragic passing joins the likes of Darryl Kile (2002) and Josh Hancock (2007) as player deaths to take place in the St. Louis organization since the turn of the century. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, along with teammates, fellow players across the league and baseball fans everywhere, were stunned at the news.
"“I simply can’t believe it,” he said. “I first met Oscar when he was 16 years old and will forever remember him as a wonderful young man who was a gifted athlete with an infectious love for life who lived every day to the fullest.”"
Our thoughts are with Taveras’ family during this trying time.