Milwaukee Brewers director of amateur scouting Bruce Seid passed away unexpectedly Tuesday while visiting family in Las Vegas. He was 53 years old.
Seid was in his sixth season as Milwaukee's director of amateur scouting and his 17th season as a member of the Brewers organization.
"We are stunned and devastated by the news of Bruce's passing," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said in a statement released by the team. "He was a great friend to all of us, and no words can describe the sense of loss we feel.
"There are only a few people who have been with the Brewers as long as Bruce, and he was a kind and highly respected member of our organization. There are also very few who worked with the passion and dedication to the Brewers that Bruce did. A number of current players on our roster were given the opportunity to play Major League Baseball because of Bruce, and he was so proud of them. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Erika, and all of Bruce's family."
Seid's scouting career began as a part-time scout with the San Diego Padres in 1992. He remained in the Padres organization until he joined Pittsburgh as an amateur scout in 1997.
He joined the Brewers organization as an amateur scout in the Southern California and Southern Nevada regions in 1998 and spent nine seasons in that role before becoming the club's West Coast crosschecker in 2007.
When Jack Zduriencik was hired as general manager of the Seattle Mariners late in 2008, the Brewers promoted Seid to director of amateur scouting.
Right-hander Mike Fiers became the first player selected in Seid's tenure to reach the major leagues when he debuted with the Brewers in 2011. Since, Tyler Thornburg, Jimmy Nelson, Scooter Gennett, Khris Davis, Sean Halton, Josh Prince, Hiram Burgos and Jason Rogers joined Fiers as Seid's draft picks to play for the Brewers.
According to the statement released by the Brewers, memorial arraignments are still pending.
A number of prospects took to Twitter on Wednesday to pay their respects.
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