Sean Burroughs’ death ruled accidental due to fentanyl overdose

Jun. 1, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Sean Burroughs against the Florida Marlins at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Diamondback Sean Burroughs passed away suddenly in May. The cause of death has been identified, as TMZ reports the former major leaguer died from a fentanyl overdose and that his death was ruled an accident by the Los Angeles County coroner.

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Burroughs, 43, was a former Little League star and first round pick, selected ninth overall by the San Diego Padres in the 1998 draft. He debuted with the Padres in 2002. He spent five seasons in San Diego before getting traded to Tampa Bay after struggling to live up to his draft pedigree. He was out of organized baseball in 2007, as he struggled with substance abuse and an addiction.

Burroughs made his return to pro ball in 2011, signing a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks before the 2011 season and reuniting with the general manager who drafted him in the late Kevin Towers. After a month and a half in the minors, he completed his journey back to the big leagues. He hit .273 in 78 games, primarily as a bat off the bench, and hit his first home run since the 2005 season in a feel-good moment for a Diamondbacks team that won the National League West division title.

Following his season in Arizona, Burroughs moved on to the Minnesota Twins in 2012. That would be the last season he played baseball with a major league organization, as he bounced around Independent League and foreign league teams for the next five years before retiring from baseball following the 2017 season.

With his playing career over, Burroughs focused on raising his family. He was coaching his son’s little league team the day he passed away. When people didn’t see him at the start of the game, they found his body near his car and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former Diamondback Sean Burroughs Passes Away at 43

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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB