Major League Baseball

Former top Angels pick shot to death after children argue over candy

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:54 p.m. ET

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A former high draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels was shot to death Wednesday in College Park, Ga., after a fight that started over candy, Myfoxatlanta.com reported.

Ryan Bolden, a 23-year-old from Mississippi, was visiting someone at an apartment complex when 10- and 11-year-olds began arguing over candy. According to the report, adults became involved and Bolden, who was taken with the 40th selection in the 2010 MLB Draft, was fatally wounded.

Bolden, an outfielder, originally signed to play college ball at Mississippi  but elected to go pro. He hit .347 with eight home runs and 30 RBI as his high school team, Madison Central, won the 2010 6A State Championship. 

Bolden played four seasons of professional baseball before back problems curtailed his time with the Angels organization. He had two homers, 35 RBI and 21 steals in the Arizona League. Bolden played seven games with the Orem Owlz in the Pioneer League in 2013. 

After that stint, he left the organization due to back problems. 

Angels scouting director Ric Wilson told MLB.com that Bolden was a high-character person. "He was a tremendous young man. He was very polite, he worked hard, he respected himself, he respected people, he respected authority and he just did whatever he could to make himself a better baseball player. ... He was just a really good young man, and came from a really good family.

"It's heartbreaking; it really is."

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