New Findings Surrounding Samohi Alumnus-Turned Angels Pitcher Tyler Skaggs

Following the death of former Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI) standout pitcher Tyler Skaggs on July 1, 2019, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have new information involving an employee for the Los Angeles Angels, the team which Skaggs pitched for. New information implicates the Angels Director of Communications Eric Kay as being a provider of illegal opioids for Tyler, according to an ESPN report. Skaggs died in his Southlake, Texas hotel during a team road trip, wherein they were scheduled to play the Texas Rangers.

Based on the toxicology report from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, Tyler Skaggs's official cause of death is a mix of "alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone intoxication with terminal aspiration of gastric contents," and was ultimately ruled an "accident." The ESPN report also states that Kay admitted to illegally buying six oxycodone pills, three of which were given to Skaggs "a day or two" before the Angels went on their Texas road trip. 

The Corsair attempted to reach out to the Athletic Department for Santa Monica High School, but were directed to Dr. Ben Drati, the Superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD). 

Drati's statement reads, "Tyler Skaggs was a wonderful student and SAMOHI baseball player who went on to have a professional career on his dream team, albeit for only a short time. He was was an upstanding citizen in the community and visited the schools he attended to inspire and motivate our students. The cause of his untimely death does not change the favorable memory we have of him. Our thoughts and love continue to be with Tyler's family and friends." 

Tyler had an outstanding junior year for the Santa Monica High School Vikings, having a total of 1.11 earned-run average after striking out 89 batters, walking 22 batters, and giving up 44 hits while also being chosen as Player of the Year in the Ocean League (Southern California's high school division). After graduating in 2009, he was drafted in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, wherein the Angels selected him.

As the DEA investigation is still ongoing, there is still more information that may be revealed. The MLB has decided to wait until their investigation has concluded before making any rulings on what the Angels' punishment will be for their involvement in the death of the 27-year-old athlete.