Scott Littlefield, a highly respected scout who dedicated 34 years of his life to Major League Baseball (MLB), passed away on Friday while on assignment. Littlefield, 59, had been with the Texas Rangers for the last 16 seasons. The cause of death was reported as a heart attack. Littlefield had undergone heart surgery two years prior to his passing.
Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, expressed his condolences in a statement released by the team. He praised Littlefield’s significant contributions to the organization, highlighting his influence in various areas of the baseball operation, including professional, amateur, and international scouting, as well as Major League player evaluation. Young also described Littlefield as a valuable resource and advisor.
Littlefield’s career in scouting began in 1991 with the Atlanta Braves. He later worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1997 to 2004 and the San Diego Padres from 2005 to 2009 before joining the Rangers. At the time of his death, Littlefield held the position of special assistant for player personnel for the Rangers. He had been part of the team’s staff during six postseason appearances, including the 2023 World Series run.
Littlefield’s passion for baseball extended to his family. His two brothers, two children, and several other family members have all worked for MLB teams. His brother Dave was a former general manager for the Pirates, while his brother Mark serves as the medical coordinator for the New York Yankees. His daughter Erika is an amateur scouting assistant for the Baltimore Orioles, and his son Tyler is a scout for the Padres.
Mike Anderson, a fellow scout for the Rangers, paid tribute to Littlefield, describing him as a “scout’s scout” who loved baseball and scouting more than anyone he had ever met. Anderson added that scouting was the only job Littlefield ever wanted, and he dedicated 34 years of his life to it.
The Rangers honored Littlefield with a moment of silence before their game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.