Longtime Cubs scout Stan Zielinski, who helped the team draft and sign Kyle Schwarber and Jeff Samardzija, among others, died Thursday at his home in Winfield, Ill.

Zielinski, 64, had been a scout for the last 38 years and was with the Cubs since 2001, most recently as an area scout for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He also worked for the Marlins and Montreal Expos.

Cubs President Theo Epstein called Zielinski "an incredible scout and an unfailingly kind person" in a statement.

“For many of us, working closely with Stan was a highlight of being with the Cubs," Epstein said. "He has been a big part of the heart and soul of the Cubs scouting staff for more than 15 years; without Stan we certainly would not have won the World Series. The impact he made on this organization and his co-workers will continue to live on.

“Together we grieve his loss, and we extend our deepest condolences to Stan's wife Holly, his children Zach and Anna, the entire Zielinski family, and Stan’s many friends and colleagues.”

Zielinski was inducted into the Midwest Scouts Association Hall of Fame last month and was honored as the Cubs’ scout of the year last winter.

He grew up in Northbrook, attended Loyola Academy and played collegiate baseball at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn.