Mike Trout, who has been mourning the loss of his brother-in-law Aaron Cox, posted an emotional tribute on his Instagram account Thursday. Cox, a former minor league pitcher in the Los Angeles Angels organization and younger brother of Jessica Trout, the wife of the two-time MVP, died at the age of 24 on Aug. 15. “Aaron, words can’t describe the emotions that I’ve been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend,” Trout wrote of Cox. “You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day. “The things we have done together like hunting trips, family vacations, golfing, fishing, and all the fun times we had together I will cherish forever... you brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you. “You will always be remembered for your crazy dance moves and your big smile and how much you cared for people and our family. You were always the life of the party and you were always making people laugh. “You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can’t thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years.” The families did not provide details on Cox's cause of death. Trout and Cox attended Millville Senior High School in New Jersey. Trout graduated in 2009 and Cox in 2012. Cox was drafted by the Angels in 2015 and made 68 appearances as a relief pitcher in the minors. Earlier this season, he made 11 appearances for the Class A Inland Empire 66ers and posted a 4.11 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. Trout, who has been on the disabled list with a wrist injury since Aug. 1, is expected to return to the club by the end of the week. Follow Boeck on Twitter @Scott_Boeck<doc-sep>Aaron Cox, the brother-in-law of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and a former minor-leaguer in the organization, died Wednesday morning, the team and his family announced. He was 24. In a statement on behalf of their families that was released Wednesday, Mike and Jessica Trout called Cox "a phenomenal human being" who had "a deep love for his family, and a passionate dedication and commitment to his friends." "As our families grieve together, we will also celebrate the memories, the laughter, and the love we each shared with Aaron in the short time we had him," the Trout and Cox families said in the statement. "We will rely on the love and strength of God first and foremost during this difficult and challenging time, as well as our dear family and friends. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and our Lord and Savior for His precious gift of Aaron Joseph." The cause of Cox's death was not immediately known, and the families did not provide additional details. Cox, who was Jessica Trout's brother, joined the organization in 2015. He made 11 appearances for the Angels' Class A affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers, earlier this season, posting a 4.11 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. "We are deeply heartbroken and shocked by this tragic loss," the Angels said in a statement. "Our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family and friends. Aaron will always have a special place in the hearts of those within the organization." Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.<doc-sep>Former Los Angeles Angels minor league pitcher Aaron Cox, who is the brother-in-law of star Angels outfielder Mike Trout, died on Wednesday, his family announced. A cause of death was not given. "Early this morning our families lost a phenomenal human being. Aaron Cox was a tremendous son, brother, and brother-in-law. He had a deep love for his family, and a passionate dedication and commitment to his friends. As our families grieve together, we will also celebrate the memories, the laughter, and the love we each shared with Aaron in the short time we had him," Trout, his wife, Jessica, and their families said in a statement. "He will forever be at the forefront in the hearts and minds of the Cox and Trout families. We will rely on the love and strength of God first and foremost during this difficult and challenging time, as well as our dear family and friends. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and our Lord and Savior for His precious gift of Aaron Joseph." Cox was Jessica Trout's brother. The 24-year-old right-handed reliever had pitched the past three seasons in the Angels' system. He made 11 appearances for the Angels' High A team at Inland Empire this season, going 0-1 with a 4.11 ERA, but retired from baseball on Aug. 6. He had a career record of 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 68 appearances. "The Angels Organization is saddened to hear of the passing of Aaron Cox, a member of the Angels family since 2015. We are deeply heartbroken and shocked by this tragic loss. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family and friends. Aaron will always have a special place in the hearts of those within the organization," the team said in a statement. Cox was suspended 50 games last season for testing positive for Ritalin, which is a banned stimulant in Major League Baseball. Players can take the drug only if they receive a therapeutic use exemption. The Angels had announced earlier this week that Trout was away from the club for a family matter and might not be available Thursday, when he is scheduled to come off the disabled list. Trout was put on the 10-day disabled list on Friday because of an inflamed right wrist, a move that was retroactive to Aug. 6, when Trout received a cortisone injection in his wrist. Trout hasn't played since Aug. 1, when he hurt his wrist during a feet-first slide into third base in Tampa Bay.<doc-sep>
Tragedy struck the Angels organization on Aug. 15, when Class-A Advanced pitcher Aaron Cox died unexpectedly. He was just 24 years old. No cause of death has been provided. Cox is actually the younger brother of Jessica Trout, the wife of Angels star Mike Trout. On Thursday, Trout posted a long and emotional goodbye to his fallen brother-in-law. For those unable to read the text in the Instagram post, here it is: Aaron, words can't describe the emotions that I've been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend. You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day. The things we have done together like hunting trips, family vacations, golfing, fishing, and all the fun times we had together I will cherish forever... you brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you. You will always be remembered for your crazy dance moves and your big smile and how much you cared for people and our family. You were always the life of the party and you were always making people laugh. You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can't thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years. I know you will be watching over me now that you are gone, I promise to take care of your sister and watch over your whole family. Heaven got a great one and I know I will see you again someday... I love you bro!!!! The Cox and Trout families also jointly issued the following statement on Aug. 15: "Early this morning our families lost a phenomenal human being. Aaron Cox was a tremendous son, brother, and brother-in-law. He had deep love for his family, and a passionate dedication and commitment to his friends. "As our families grieve together, we will also celebrate the memories, the laughter, and the love we shared with Aaron in the short time we had him. He will forever be at the forefront in the hearts and minds of the Cox and Trout families. We will rely on the love and strength of God first and foremost during this difficult and challenging time, as well as our dear family and friends. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and our Lord and Savior for His precious gift of Aaron Joseph." Cox attended Millville High School in New Jersey, the same high school as Trout, and then Gannon University (in Pennsylvania). He made 68 appearances as a relief pitcher in the minors.