The baseball world has mourned the tragic death of Angels starter Tyler Skaggs, who was found deceased Monday at the team’s hotel in Arlington, Texas. A cause of death hasn’t been reported.
Skaggs, 27, was a Santa Monica, Calif., native and close friend with Braves lefty Max Fried. Skaggs was a mentor to Fried. The pair shared an agent and worked out together in southern California every winter.
“He was the guy I looked up to, as far as being an 18-year-old coming into pro ball and not knowing what to expect,” said Fried, a fellow southern California native. “We have the same agent, so he introduced us. We started working out together in offseasons. He showed me that hard work you need to have between offseasons to prepare yourself for a season.
“Always had an unbelievable attitude. He was a really good friend who I could go to for anything I needed.”
Fried, 25, and Skaggs remained in communication throughout the season. They would exchange texts of encouragement and check each other’s box scores after starts.
Their offseason workouts also included Lucas Giolito, Ryan Braun, Trevor Plouffe and Jack Flaherty, all Los Angeles-area natives. Fried and Skaggs met when the latter was a top pitching prospect. Fried always gravitated toward Skaggs, who had the same profile: A lanky, skinny lefty with a fastball-curveball combination.
“I’m very confident saying I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today without what Tyler taught me,” said Fried, who learned the news via a call from Giolito on Monday.
Moments of silence were held before games across baseball Tuesday. Some players had their own means of honoring Skaggs. Patrick Corbin donned his No. 45 rather than his own 46. Trevor Bauer wrote No. 45 on the mound.
Fried found the gestures “heartwarming.” He plans to visit the family in Los Angeles over next week’s All-Star break. He long has known Skaggs’ mother, Debbie, who coached softball at Santa Monica High School, and Skaggs’ wife, Carli.
“I want to extend my deepest condolences,” Fried said. “I know how I’m feeling. I can’t imagine how they are. Being able to get to know him and know the impact he’s had on so many. Just knowing I’m not the only one who saw it. Everyone who knew him saw the same thing. Unbelievably genuine, fun, happy-go-lucky guy.”
