Oakland Athletics minor leaguer Sean Murphy died unexpectedly on Monday, the club announced.
The 27-year-old pitcher spent six seasons in Oakland's minor-league system after being drafted in the 33rd round in 2010 out of Keystone College in Pennsylvania. He showed the most promise in 2013, going 10-9 with a 3.94 ERA.He worked his way up to Triple-A in 2014, but didn't pitch well and things got tough from there. Murphy was sent back down, eventually settling in Double-A. In September of that season, he needed Tommy John surgery. He then missed all of 2015 while rehabbing his elbow. In February, Murphy was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games following a second positive drug test. It wasn't a performance-enhancing drug, rather what MLB deems a "drug of abuse." That list includes marijuana, cocaine and opiates such as oxycodone, heroin and codeine.
No cause of death has been announced. The A's only said he died unexpectedly. Here's their full statement:
Sean Murphy, who played six seasons in the Oakland A’s farm system, passed away unexpectedly on Monday in Arizona. He was 27 years old.
“The A’s are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sean Murphy,” said Billy Beane, executive vice president of baseball operations for the Oakland Athletics.