Former Pirates minor leaguer Lincoln Holdzkom has died in a car accident, the NZ Herald reports. Holdzkom, 33, played for the Altoona Curve in 2009. He was the older brother of current Pirate John Holdzkom.
Lincoln Holdzkom was driving in California when he collided with a guardrail. He died early Sunday morning.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Holdzkom family at this tragic time," said Baseball New Zealand chief executive Ryan Flynn, who is in the US for World Baseball Classic meetings.
"To have this happen anytime to such a vibrant and fantastic young man is just terrible, but a week before Christmas makes it so much harder for John and the Holdzkom family.