ST. LOUIS — Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras died in a car wreck in the Dominican Republic on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals have confirmed the news but the team has yet to release an official statement.
Taveras, who turned 22 in July, has been a top prospect in the Cardinals’ organization since he signed as an amateur free agent in 2008. He was Baseball America’s No. 3 prospect in baseball before the 2013 season and before the 2014 season.
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Taveras made his MLB debut on May 31 this season and played 80 games for the Cardinals this season, batting .239 with three home runs.
The family now confirms that #STLCards rising star Oscar Taveras died in a car accident driving from Sosua to Puerto Plata per @LigaDomcom
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 27, 2014Brian Mejia Oscar Taveras' agent has confirmed to various Dominican reporters that the player has been declared dead. pic.twitter.com/52kxLRXeMN
— LigaDom.com (@LigaDomcom) October 27, 2014Confirmed by his family, Cardinals' Oscar Taveras has died in car accident he was driving from Sosua to Puerto Plata (DR)
— LigaDom.com (@LigaDomcom) October 27, 2014Regarding reports of Oscar Taveras dying in a car crash, GM Mozeliak heard from Taveras' agent about 35 minutes ago with the news...
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) October 27, 2014From Mozeliak: "Obviously, we have deep condolences to his family. We are still waiting for more details before issuing a full statement."
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) October 27, 2014We mourn the passing of Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras. http://t.co/fCuSK3nB9n pic.twitter.com/0USk5vzaXF
— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2014Check back for more as details emerge on this heartbreaking story.