The baseball world is mourning the death of 23-year-old Twins prospect Ryan Costello, who was found dead in his hotel room Sunday in Auckland, New Zealand.
Costello, a native of Wethersfield, Connecticut, arrived in New Zealand last week and was set to play for the Auckland Tuatara. His team announced that Costello appears to have died of natural causes, according to MiLB.
“The Tuatara would like to express their deepest condolences to Ryan’s family back home in the United States and to the whole Minnesota Twins organization,” the statement says. “Support is being offered to the Tuatara players, who are naturally devastated at the moment.”
Costello spent the 2019 season at Class A Advanced Fort Myers and Double-A Pensacola. He hit .223/.343/.412 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs in 108 games.
We are saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Ryan Costello. The entire Twins organization sends our most sincere condolences to Ryan's family, friends, coaches, and teammates. pic.twitter.com/TXwztkmgQA
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 18, 2019
The utility infielder/outfielder was picked by the Mariners in the 31st round of the 2017 MLB Draft and traded to the Twins in 2018 in a midseason deal that also sent pitchers Zach Duke and Chase De Jong to Minnesota.
A little over a year ago, Costello told Twins Daily that one of his strengths is “my ability to stay positive through tough times and understand that it’s part of the game and ups and downs are going to come.”
More details about Costello’s death could be announced Monday when his New Zealand team is expected to meet with the media.
