Rangers grieve the loss of Scott Littlefield at 59, with president Chris Young paying tribute to the respected scout’s impact and legacy.
Scott Littlefield, a veteran scout for the Texas Rangers, has died at the age of 59. He was found Friday while on assignment in Houston, where he’d been working in his role as Special Assistant, Player Personnel.
Littlefield had built a long 34‑year career in Major League Baseball scouting, having worked for the Atlanta Braves, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finally the Rangers, whom he joined in November 2009. Over his time with Texas, he played a key part in both amateur and international scouting, and was honored as Texas’ Red Jacket Scout of the Year in 2019.
The Rangers’ front office expressed their deep sorrow at his passing. Chris Young, their President of Baseball Operations, described Littlefield as one of the most respected scouts in MLB whose influence stretched across professional, amateur, and international domains. He emphasized that beyond his skill and insight, Littlefield was “one of the most genuine and caring individuals in the game.”
Littlefield’s tenure with Texas saw considerable team success, including multiple playoff appearances and ultimately a World Series championship in 2023. Under his influence in scouting and player evaluation, the Rangers made the post‑season six times.
He was part of a baseball family. His son Tyler works as a scout for the San Diego Padres, and his daughter Erika is an amateur scouting assistant for the Baltimore Orioles. His brothers are similarly involved in MLB: Dave is a former general manager of the Pirates and Mark is the medical coordinator for the New York Yankees.
At the time of his passing there was no official cause of death released by the Rangers.
Despite the shock, teammates, colleagues, and fans have begun sharing tributes to remember his contributions on and off the field. His passion for scouting, his loyalty to the game, and the relationships he forged throughout his long career received particular praise.
Services have not yet been announced, and many in the baseball community are still coming to terms with the loss of someone described not just as a highly capable evaluator of talent, but also as a person with warmth, integrity, and devotion to the sport.
