History of Tyler Skaggs in Timeline

Tyler Skaggs was an American professional baseball pitcher who played seven seasons in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels from 2012 to 2019. He was a starting pitcher. Skaggs' career was cut short by his tragic death in 2019.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1988: Leary Pitched Dodgers to Victory

In 1988, Tim Leary helped pitch the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in the World Series.

July 13, 1991: Tyler Skaggs Born

Tyler Skaggs was born on July 13, 1991, in Woodland Hills, California.

2008: Ocean League Player of the Year

In 2008, during his junior year of high school, Tyler Skaggs was named the Ocean League's Player of the Year.

August 7, 2009: Signed with the Angels

On August 7, 2009, Tyler Skaggs chose to sign with the Los Angeles Angels for a $1 million bonus.

August 22, 2009: Professional Baseball Debut

On August 22, 2009, Tyler Skaggs made his professional baseball debut, relieving starting pitcher Fabio Martinez with a scoreless sixth inning for the AZL Angels.

2009: Drafted by the Angels

In 2009, Tyler Skaggs was a supplemental first-round selection for the Los Angeles Angels in the Major League Baseball draft.

July 25, 2010: Traded to the Diamondbacks

On July 25, 2010, Tyler Skaggs was one of several players sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Dan Haren.

2010: Played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels

In 2010 Tyler Skaggs played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League.

July 10, 2011: All-Star Futures Game

On July 10, 2011, Tyler Skaggs was chosen as the starting pitcher for Team USA at the annual All-Star Futures Game.

2011: All-Star Futures Game Appearance

Tyler Skaggs appeared in both the 2011 and 2012 MLB All-Star Futures games.

August 21, 2012: Called Up to the Major Leagues

On August 21, 2012, the Arizona Diamondbacks called Tyler Skaggs up to the major leagues.

August 22, 2012: MLB Debut

On August 22, 2012, Tyler Skaggs made his major league debut against the Miami Marlins.

2012: Promotion to Reno Aces

In 2012, Tyler Skaggs was promoted to the Reno Aces of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and Reno captured their first Pacific Coast League championship title. He also appeared in the MLB All-Star Futures game.

December 10, 2013: Traded to the Angels

On December 10, 2013, Tyler Skaggs was part of a three-team trade and was sent to the Los Angeles Angels.

December 2013: Traded back to the Angels

In December 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Tyler Skaggs back to the Los Angeles Angels.

2013: MLB Prospect and Opioid Abuse

In 2013, Tyler Skaggs was named the 10th overall MLB prospect. He also disclosed to his family that he struggled with opioid abuse.

July 31, 2014: Forearm tightness and disabled list placement

On July 31, 2014, Tyler Skaggs left a potential no-hitter game due to left forearm tightness and was subsequently placed on the 15-day disabled list after MRI tests revealed a strain to the common flexor tendon of his arm.

July 31, 2014: UCL Injury

On July 31, 2014, Tyler Skaggs' season was derailed by an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury, leading to Tommy John surgery.

2014: Competition for Fifth Place in Rotation

Leading into the 2014 season Tyler Skaggs was in competition for the fifth place in the Angels' starting rotation. He was placed on the disabled list due to a strained right hamstring.

July 26, 2016: First Major League Start Since Surgery

On July 26, 2016, Tyler Skaggs made his first major league start since undergoing surgery, pitching seven scoreless innings in a 13–0 win against the Kansas City Royals. He struck out five, allowed three hits, and walked one batter.

April 28, 2017: Oblique Muscle Strain

On April 28, 2017, Tyler Skaggs left a game against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning due to muscle pain, which was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 oblique muscle strain.

April 12, 2019: Ankle Sprain

On April 12, 2019, Tyler Skaggs sprained his left ankle during a game against the Chicago Cubs after landing in a divot. His fastball speed decreased, and he was placed on the injured list.

June 2019: Career Stats up to June 2019

Through June 2019, Tyler Skaggs posted a career earned run average (ERA) of 4.41, recorded 476 strikeouts, and had a win–loss record of 28–38.

June 30, 2019: Skaggs texts Eric Kay for painkillers

On June 30, 2019, Tyler Skaggs texted Eric Kay, the communications director for the Angels, asking for painkillers. He did not respond to his wife's good-night text that night.

July 1, 2019: Tyler Skaggs Death

On July 1, 2019, Tyler Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, and was pronounced dead the same day.

July 6, 2019: Andrew Heaney's first start since Skaggs's death

On July 6, 2019, Andrew Heaney made his first start since the death of Tyler Skaggs. His first pitch was Skaggs's signature overhand slow curveball, intentionally unchallenged.