KANSAS CITY -- As those around baseball continue to come to grips with the shocking death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, former teammates such as Royals catcher Martín Maldonado are among those trying to process the news.

“You never think something like this can happen,” Maldonado said on Tuesday. “It has everyone choked up. It’s shocking.”

Maldonado was battery mates with Skaggs for the 2107 season and half of '18 with the Angels.

“I will remember him for the way he pitched, how competitive he was and how he was always trying to get better,” Maldonado said. “I’ll remember him always laughing around his locker, playing music. He was just a good guy to be around.”

The Royals held a moment of silence in honor of Skaggs prior to Tuesday's series opener against the Indians at Kauffman Stadium.