Ex-New York Mets minor league pitcher Matt Pobereyko found dead at age 31 after suffering a heart attack in his Chicago apartment
Former MLB minor league pitcher Matt Pobereyko has died at the age of 31 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Chicago.
The former New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins pitcher played in Mexico this month and was described by his family as “perfectly healthy” in the wake of his shock death.
Pobereyko was found by his girlfriend in their apartment in Wheaton, near Chicago, according to NBC news.
In an interview with the same news outlet, Pobereyko’s brother Daniel said, “He just fell and that’s all we know. We do not know.
“There’s nothing special about the autopsy. But from what I understand he would have gotten a clean bill of health if he had a pulse.
Former New York Mets minor leaguer Matt Pobereyko has died at the age of 31
Pobereyko, pictured alongside his girlfriend Lauren, last played in Mexico
“As far as we know right now, there really aren’t any leads. They saw him earlier in the week and he seemed fine.”
Pobereyko’s death was first revealed by his team in Mexico, Saraperos de Saltillo, who tweeted on Saturday: “We report the unfortunate news of Matt Pobereyko’s death, due to a heart attack that ended his life.”
The pitcher had last played in the Caribbean World Series in Venezuela earlier this month, and his family revealed that he still harbored ambitions to play at a higher level after impressing in his most recent stint.
It was later confirmed by his brother Daniel that Matt was found at their home by his girlfriend
Pobereynko played for Mexico against the Dominican Republic on February 9
He played for the minor league teams of the Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins
“He had his eyes on the Asian markets because he had pitched really well in Mexico, so at least that’s what he was hoping for. He still had some really good stuff, and he’d keep throwing as long as he did.”
The Hammond, Indiana native first played in college for Kentucky Wesleyan before touring the minor leagues and rising as high as the Mets’ triple-A team in Las Vegas in 2018.
During the winter, Pobereyko also played for Algodoneros de Guasave and led the league with 73 strikeouts in only 70 1/3 innings.