Marauder Fans Mourn the Loss of Former Outfielder

BRADENTON – Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League prospect Evan Chambers died in his sleep this past weekend. Chambers, who spent 2011 and 2012 with Bradenton before moving up to AA Altoona, was only 24 at the time of his death. Drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round in 2009, the Lakeland native played outfield and had an impressive .351 on-base percentage in his time with the Marauders.

Evan Chambers gets a hit for Bradenton in 2011 photo by Craig Jorgensen

No details were made public, regarding the cause of death. Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington made the following statement of Chambers' passing:

"All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are shocked and saddened by Evan's sudden passing in his sleep this past weekend. Beyond being just a talented ballplayer, Evan was a great teammate and a quiet leader who went about his craft as a professional every day. Off the field, Evan loved making a difference in the community, and often dedicated a lot of his time working with children in the communities in which he played. Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to his family for this unimaginable loss. He was far too young. He will be missed."

In lieu of flowers, the Chambers family has asked donations be made in Evan’s honor to a children’s charity, the Foundation for Dreams and Dream Oaks Camp, 16110 Dream Oaks Place Bradenton, FL 34212.

A funeral service for Evan will be held this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church located at  2122 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland, FL 33805.