Baseball suffered an unexpected and untimely loss yesterday, as Brewers scouting director Bruce Seid passed away suddenly at age 53. The team announced the news today via press release.

“We are stunned and devastated by the news of Bruce’s passing,” said GM Doug Melvin. “He was a great friend to all of us, and no words can describe the sense of loss we feel.” As Melvin went on to note, “a number of current players on our roster were given the opportunity to play Major League Baseball because of Bruce, and he was so proud of them.”

Seid took over Milwaukee’s amateur scouting department in the fall of 2008, replacing Jack Zduriencik when he left to become the Mariners’ GM. He had been a scout and crosschecker with the organization for 11 years before taking over as director.

MLBTR joins many others around baseball in offering its condolences to Seid’s family, friends, and colleagues.