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I was just going over my early Top 50 Outfielder Rankings for 2015 when I saw this news on Twitter. I am not sure who the first was to report this very sad news, but here is Bob Nightengale from the USA Today:
Oscar Taveras' agent is telling news reporters in the Dominican that Oscar Taveras was killed in a car wreck. Horrible. #STLCards.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 27, 2014
Taveras was killed in a car accident in his home town. Taveras was a promising outfield prospect who had struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, hitting just .239-.278-.312 with 3 home runs, 18 runs scored and 22 RBI in 248 plate appearances. In 262 plate appearances in AAA, Taveras hit .318-.370-.502 with 8 home runs, 36 runs scored and 49 RBI.
He didn't see much playing time in the playoffs, as manager Mike Matheny went with Randall Grichuk in right field over the more talented Taveras, leading many to question why. Reports surfaced that he was battling a gain in weight and has some work ethic issues.
We will learn more about this terribly sad news over the coming days.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Cardinal organization.