PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Tragic news from the world of baseball as the St. Louis Cardinals and the Memphis Redbirds are mourning the loss of talented outfielder Oscar Taveras, who along with his girlfriend, were killed in a car accident while driving in his native Dominican Republic.  He was just 22 years old.

Taveras made his major league debut this year with the Cardinals after hitting .320 over 6 minor league seasons which included 108 games with the Redbirds.

Considered one of the top prospects in all fo baseball, Taveras hit .239 over 80 games this year in St. Louis.

Taveras is the third active Cardinal to pass away over the last 12 years, joining pitchers Darryl Kile and Josh Hancock.