RIP Ryan Costello (1996-2019)

The Twins family learned of a devastating loss late on Sunday night or early Monday morning. Ryan Costello, who split the 2019 season between the Ft. Myers Miracle and Pensacola Blue Wahoos, passed away in New Zealand.

Costello arrived in New Zealand about a week ago. He was set to play for the Auckland Tuataras of the Australian Baseball League.

He was drafted in the 31st round of the 2017 draft by the Seattle Mariners out of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.

He came to the Twins in the July 2018 trade that sent Zack Duke to the Mariners. He had been playing for former Twins infielder Denny Hocking with the Low A Clinton LumberKings. He joined the Ft. Myers Miracle and his big home run helped the Miracle to the Florida State League championship.

He split the 2019 season between the Miracle and Blue Wahoos. With the Miracle, he hit .213/.337/.375 (.712) with 11 doubles and eight home runs in 68 games. In 40 games with Pensacola, he hit .240/.353/.473 (.826) with five doubles and seven home runs.

News of his death started arriving on social media around midnight overnight.

https://twitter.com/ABL/status/1196305660985724929

Teammates and those who knew him took to Instagram and other forms of social media to express their sadness. He was a very popular teammate.

https://twitter.com/MarshallKelner/status/1196360547203272704

Last offseason, I chatted with Costello for this Get to Know 'Em story on Costello.

The Minnesota Twins released a statement on Monday morning.

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. Costello was traded to the Twins in July of 2018, he was 23-years-old.

Nick English, the owner of Munger English Sports Management (Costello's agents), provided the following statement:

“On behalf of our staff and families, and others who have supported Ryan throughout his career in professional baseball, I want to express our deepest condolences to the Costello family. Ryan was an absolute pleasure to work with.

We join the players, coaches, and staff members of the Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Fort Myers Miracle, Clinton LumberKings, Arizona League Mariners, Auckland Tuatara, Central Connecticut State University, and Wethersfield High School in offering our unwavering support to Ryan’s family during this difficult time.

We wish the days of sorrow one day soon can turn to days of joy in celebrating all that was – and is – good about Ryan’s life and spirit. He was an inspiration to many on the field, advancing to Double-A ball after being selected as a 31st-round pick by the Mariners in 2017. He was a champion. He won the Florida State League title in 2018 with his Miracle teammates, hitting a go-ahead home run in the series-clinching Game 4. Ryan’s hard work and dedication to his craft were admirable, and we were blessed to be alongside him as he lived out his dream of playing professional baseball.”

We extend out deepest condolences to the Costello family and friends and to all those in the Twins organization.