A year that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988 has also brought about tremendous heartbreak and reminders the organization is not immune to struggles the world has dealt with due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
They suffered another unfortunate loss as Dodgers scout Jairo Castillo passed away due to complications with the virus. The 31-year-old had worked as an international scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Dodgers.
Based out of the Dominican Republic, Castillo was an international crosschecker for the Dodgers. He is survived a wife and two sons. A GoFundMe was set up for the Castillo family and as of publishing had neared its $10,000 goal.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was among those to share his condolences, via Adam McCalvy and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Jairo Castillo, who recently passed away in the Dominican Republic,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “Tragically, Jairo’s promising baseball career was just getting started and his death will be felt deeply by everyone who crossed paths with him. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones.”
Castillo’s career in baseball began when the New York Mets signed him out of the Dominican Republic as a 16 year old. He played three years in Dominican and Venezuelan leagues prior to transitioning into scouting.
Dodgers mourn Lon Joyce
Prior to the tragic news of Castillo’s death, the Dodgers were coping with the loss of former scout Lon Joyce. He had been a scout in the Dodgers organization since 1992 and was responsible for signing a number of Major League players such as Corey Seager, Edwin Jackson, Jonathan Broxton, Grant Holmes and Kyle Farmer, among others.
Joyce accompanied Ron Cey to represent the Dodgers at the 2017 MLB Draft.
The organization has also lost former relief pitcher Ron Perranoski, former outfielder ‘Sweet’ Lou Johnson and three-time World Series champion Ron Fairly in the past 14 months.
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