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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, a 22-year-old star-in-the-making rated as one of the top prospects in baseball, was killed Sunday in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Taveras & His Girlfriend Both Died in the Crash Sunday
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According to USA Today, Brian Mejia, Taveras’ agent, told reporters that Taveras and his girlfriend were both killed in the crash.
Multiple news outlets identified Taveras’ girlfriend as 18-year-old Edilia Arvelo.
18 year-old Edilia Arvelo, Oscar Taveras’ girlfriend, was also killed in the accident
2. News of Taveraz’s Death Spread During Game 5 of the World Series
Oscar Taveras drives in a run August 30 against the Cubs. (Getty)
Word began to circulate of Taveras’ death just as the Giants and Royals were getting ready to play in Game 5 of the World Series. Fox’s Ken Rosenthal later reported Taveras’ death on the air during the top of the fourth of the game.
The Cardinals released statements from chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and general manager John Mozeliak.
From DeWitt:
We are all stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of the youngest members of the Cardinals family. Oscar was an amazing talent with a bright future who was taken from us well before his time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends tonight.
From Mozeliak:
I simply can’t believe it. 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.
Condolences poured in from players and rival organizations on Twitter.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras and the @Cardinals organization tonight. #RIP
We are incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Oscar Taveras. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the @Cardinals organization.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras and the @Cardinals organization. Rest in peace.
Baseball lost a promising young star today! Thoughts and prayers! RIP OSCAR TAVERAS
3. Taveras Was Rated the Top Prospect in the Cardinals’ System
Oscar Taveras celebrates with his teammates October 7 after the Cardinals beat the Dodgers to win the National League Division Series. (Getty)
As Taveras shot through the Cardinals’ system, his stock as one of the best prospect’s in baseball steadily rose. Baseball America, the top authority on prospect rankings, rated him the 24th best prospect in the St. Louis system after the 2010 season, but that ranking increased sharply to No. 3 after the 2011 season and No. 1 after the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Taveras’ rise on Baseball America’s list of the top 100 prospects in baseball was also swift. He went from No. 74 on the list after the 2011 season to No. 3 after the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
4. Taveras Hit a Pinch-Hit Home Run in the NLCS
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Taveras made his Major League debut on May 31 and played in 80 games for the N.L. Central champion Cardinals, hitting .239 with 3 homers, 22 RBIs and a .590 OPS. You can take a look at a detailed statistical breakdown here via Baseball Reference.
He proved valuable enough during the regular season to make St. Louis’ postseason roster, and he came through in the NLCS against the Giants, when he hit a pinch-hit home run in Game 2.
5. It’s Not Clear What Caused the Crash
The family now confirms that #STLCards rising star Oscar Taveras died in a car accident driving from Sosua to Puerto Plata per @LigaDomcom
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted that Taveras and his girlfriend were driving from Sosua to Puerto Plata when the crash took place. No other details about the crash have been released.
