Minnesota Twins Prospect Ryan Costello Has Died
Minnesota Twins prospect Ryan Costello was found dead in his hotel room. Team officials have said Costello,23 died in his sleep of natural causes. Costello just days ago joined the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League. The death of Costello left his teammates on Tuatara devastated by the news.
The team first raised concerns when Costello did not report for training Monday morning. “The Tuatara express their deepest condolences to Ryan’s family back home in the United States and to the whole Minnesota Twins organization.”
— Auckland Tuatara Baseball (@AucklandTuatara) November 18, 2019
Ryan Costello’s Early Years
Ryan Costello was born in Hartford Connecticut and graduated from Wethersfield High School. He went on to play college baseball at Central Connecticut State University. In three seasons Costello batted .290 with 14 HR and 86 RBI in 449 at-bats.
In 2o14 Costello was an honorable mention for the All-Courant baseball team. Costello credited Wethersfield coach Mark Bagdasarian for being a huge influence for him. Costello credits both coaching staffs at Wethersfield and CCSU for maturing him and showing him how to be a man and taking care of your business.
Minor League Career
The left-handed-hitting Costello was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 31st round in the 2017 draft. Costello played three positions, first base, third base and leftfield. The Mariners traded Costello in 2018 to the Minnesota Twins along with Chase De Jong for pitcher Zach Duke.
Costello helped the Class-A Fort Myers Miracle win the 2018 Florida State League championship. In the championship game, Costello hit a three-run homer in the 8-5 victory. Costello played three minor league seasons and batted .356 with 43 HR and 163 RBI in 929 at-bats.
In a 2018 interview with the Twins Daily Costello stated his greatest strength is staying positive. “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,” said Costello.
Twins Statement
This morning the Twins issued this statement. “The Minnesota Twins are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Ryan Costello yesterday in New Zealand. On behalf of the entire organization, the Twins send their most sincere condolences to Ryan’s family, friends, coaches, and teammates. Ryan split the 2019 season between Single-A Ft. Myers and Double-A Pensacola, playing 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
