Tyler Skaggs facts for kids

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Tyler Skaggs

Skaggs with the Angels in 2019

Pitcher

Born: July 13, 1991
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.

Died: July 1, 2019 (aged 27)
Southlake, Texas, U.S.

Batted: Left

Threw: Left

debut

August 22, 2012, for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Last appearance

June 29, 2019, for the Los Angeles Angels

MLB statistics

Win–loss record

28–38

Earned run average

4.41

Strikeouts

476

Teams

Arizona Diamondbacks (2012–2013)
Los Angeles Angels (2014, 2016–2019)

Tyler Wayne Skaggs (July 13, 1991 – July 1, 2019) was an American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Tyler played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels from 2012 until his passing in 2019.

Tyler was born in Woodland Hills, California. He went to Santa Monica High School. The Angels picked him in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He was later traded to the Diamondbacks. Tyler quickly moved up through their minor league teams. He played in two All-Star Futures Games. Tyler made his first MLB game on August 22, 2012. He joined the Angels again in 2014. A serious arm injury in 2014, called an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury, needed Tommy John surgery. This kept him from playing for a while. He returned to play for the Angels from 2016 to 2019. Tyler had a career earned run average (ERA) of 4.41. He recorded 476 strikeouts. His win–loss record was 28–38. Tyler passed away on July 1, 2019, in Southlake, Texas. The Angels honored him by wearing a special patch on their jerseys. His family also started a foundation in his name.

Tyler Skaggs: Early Life and High School
Tyler Skaggs' Professional Baseball Journey
Tyler Skaggs' Pitching Style
Tyler Skaggs' Personal Life
Honoring Tyler Skaggs
- Memorials and Tributes
Images for kids
See also

Tyler Skaggs: Early Life and High School

Tyler Skaggs was born in Woodland Hills, California, on July 13, 1991. His parents were both athletes. His mother, Debbie, coached softball at Santa Monica High School. His father, Darnell, played high school baseball. His stepfather, Dan Ramos, also played college baseball. Tyler often helped his mom at softball practices. He would help the players field balls.

Tyler played three sports at Santa Monica High School. He played baseball, basketball, and football. Basketball was his favorite sport. His high school baseball coach, Rob Duron, called him "Tall and Skinny." In 2008, during his junior year, Tyler was named the Ocean League's Player of the Year. He had a 1.11 earned run average (ERA). He also had 89 strikeouts. Many professional baseball scouts watched Tyler play in his senior year. This included famous baseball manager Tommy Lasorda.

Tyler Skaggs' Professional Baseball Journey

Starting His Pro Career with the Angels

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had many early picks in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. They chose Tyler Skaggs as the 40th overall pick. This was 15 spots after they picked future star Mike Trout. Tyler had planned to play college baseball. But he decided to sign with the Angels on August 7, 2009. He received a $1 million bonus.

Tyler made his first professional baseball game on August 22, 2009. He pitched for the AZL Angels. He played in the Arizona League and the Pioneer League. He had a 1.80 ERA as a rookie. In 2010, Tyler and Mike Trout were roommates. They played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Tyler pitched in 19 games for the Kernels. He had an 8–4 win–loss record. He was also named to the Midwest League All-Star team.

Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2010–2013)

Moving to the Minor Leagues

Skaggs pitched for the Diamondbacks in 2013.

On July 25, 2010, Tyler was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade was for the All-Star pitcher Dan Haren. Tyler could not be officially traded until he had played professional baseball for one full year. So, he stayed with the Kernels until August 7. The Diamondbacks then sent him to the South Bend Silver Hawks. He had a 1–1 record there. His total record for 2010 was 9–5. He had a 3.29 ERA with 102 strikeouts.

In 2011, Tyler played for the Visalia Rawhide. He was a key pitcher for their team. He started 17 games. He had a 5–5 record and a 3.22 ERA. He struck out 125 batters. Tyler was chosen to start for Team USA in the All-Star Futures Game. The next day, he moved up to the Double-A Mobile BayBears. He went 4–1 with a 2.50 ERA there. The Diamondbacks named him their minor league pitcher of the year.

Tyler stayed with the BayBears at the start of 2012. He had a 5–4 record. He was then promoted to the Reno Aces. He went 5–5 there. Reno won their first championship title. Tyler was one of only five players to play in both the 2011 and 2012 MLB All-Star Futures games.

Making His MLB Debut (2012–2013)

The Diamondbacks called Tyler up to the major leagues on August 21, 2012. He made his MLB debut the next day against the Miami Marlins. He gave up two runs in a 3–2 win. Tyler stayed with the Diamondbacks for the rest of the season. He finished his rookie season with a 1–3 record. His ERA was 5.83.

In 2013, MLB.com named Tyler the 10th best prospect in MLB. He competed for a spot in the Diamondbacks' starting rotation. But he was sent back to the Reno Aces. He spent most of 2013 with the Aces. He also made seven starts for the Diamondbacks. He ended the season with a 2–3 record and a 5.12 ERA.

Returning to the Angels (2014–2019)

The 2014 Season and Injury

Skaggs pitched for the Angels in 2014.

Tyler was part of a big trade on December 10, 2013. He was sent back to the Angels. He joined their starting rotation. He worked on improving his fastball and other pitches. He also changed his pitching style a bit. Tyler was on the Angels' opening day roster. He pitched well at first. But on June 9, he had to leave a game. He had a strained right hamstring. He was out for almost a month.

On July 31, 2014, Tyler left a game early. He felt tightness in his left forearm. Tests showed he had a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. This meant he needed Tommy John surgery. This surgery ended his season. At the time, Tyler had a 5–5 record. His ERA was 4.30 in eighteen starts.

Coming Back from Tommy John Surgery

Skaggs pitched for the Salt Lake Bees in 2016.

Tyler wanted to return to pitching in 2015. But he decided to wait until the 2016 season. He started with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to get ready. He had a small setback with biceps pain in April. But by July, he was pitching again. He made his first major league start since surgery on July 26, 2016. He pitched seven innings without giving up any runs. He helped the Angels win 13–0. Tyler finished his first season back with a 3–4 record and a 4.17 ERA.

Later Seasons (2017–2019)

Injuries continued to affect Tyler's time with the Angels. In April 2017, he hurt a muscle in his side. This kept him out for fourteen weeks. He returned on August 5. He pitched 85 innings in 16 starts that year. He finished with a 2–6 record and a 4.55 ERA. In 2018, a muscle strain in his hip put him on the disabled list three times. Despite this, 2018 was his best season. He set new career highs with eight wins and 129 strikeouts. His ERA in June was very low, setting an Angels record. He finished the year with an 8–10 record and a 4.02 ERA.

On April 12, 2019, Tyler sprained his left ankle. This happened during a game against the Chicago Cubs. He tried to keep pitching, but his fastball speed dropped. He was removed from the game and placed on the injured list. He returned on April 26. He pitched five innings without giving up any runs. He led the Angels' rotation with seven wins and 78 strikeouts. Tyler continued to play through pain. In his last career start, he pitched against the Oakland Athletics. Overall, Tyler had a 28–38 win–loss record in his MLB career. His ERA was 4.41. He struck out 476 batters.

Tyler Skaggs' Pitching Style

In 2009, a scouting report said Tyler was a "decent lefty." They praised his 92 mph fastball and 70–73 mph curveball. By 2012, his curveball was considered the best in Minor League Baseball. His 80–81 mph changeup needed more work. By 2014, his main pitches were a 94 mph four-seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. He sometimes used a sinker as a "secret weapon."

Tyler believed his recovery from Tommy John surgery helped his pitching. He said he understood his body better. He felt more comfortable and skilled after coming back. He mainly used his fastball and curveball. But he started using his changeup more in 2018.

Tyler Skaggs' Personal Life

Tyler Skaggs married his girlfriend, Carli Miles, on New Year's Eve in 2018. During the off-season, he trained at Pepperdine University. He trained with other MLB players like Scott and Tyler Heineman. He was close friends with Angels teammates Andrew Heaney and Patrick Corbin. He was a groomsman at Corbin's wedding. Tyler had Mexican heritage from his mother's side. He had planned to play for the Mexican team in the 2021 World Baseball Classic.

Honoring Tyler Skaggs

On July 1, 2019, Tyler Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas. He was pronounced dead that day. The Angels were in Texas to play the Texas Rangers. Both teams decided to postpone their game.

Memorials and Tributes

Skaggs was honored at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.

News of Tyler's passing brought much sadness in MLB. On July 2, Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals changed his jersey number to Tyler's No. 45. This was for a game against the Miami Marlins. Angels All-Stars Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella also wore No. 45 at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. During Players Weekend in 2019, all major league players wore a No. 45 patch on their jerseys. Many players also wore nicknames that honored Tyler. All Angels players wore a No. 45 patch for the rest of the 2019 season.

On July 6, 2019, Andrew Heaney made his first start since Tyler's passing. Tyler was his best friend. Heaney's first pitch was Tyler's special slow curveball. It was an intentional pitch that no one swung at. On July 12, the Angels played their first home game after Tyler's passing. Every player wore his No. 45 jersey. Tyler's mother, Debbie Hetman, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Heaney caught it. Angels pitchers Taylor Cole and Félix Peña then pitched a combined no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. They won 13–0. This was the first combined no-hitter in California since July 13, 1991. That was the day Tyler was born. After the game, the players placed their memorial jerseys on the pitcher's mound. This was to honor Tyler's memory.

After his passing, Tyler's wife and mother started the Tyler Skaggs Foundation. This foundation helps support athletic programs for children. The MLB Players Trust gave $45,000 to the foundation. The first Tyler Skaggs Foundation all-star game was held on July 10, 2021.