{"id":679954,"date":"2026-04-20T19:58:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/679954\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T19:58:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:58:42","slug":"two-time-mlb-draft-pick-dies-on-church-roof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/679954\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-time MLB draft pick dies on church roof"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Leonardo Blair<\/a>, Senior Reporter Monday, April 20, 2026\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"Twitter\"<\/a>\"Unsplash\/JoseUnsplash\/Jose Francisco Morales<\/p>\n

Former Minor League Baseball player and two-time MLB draft pick Brian Kirby<\/a> died Wednesday while working as an HVAC technician on the roof of a church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was 46.<\/p>\n

Kirby, who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in 1997 and the Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians) in 2001, reached the Triple-A level \u2014 the highest level of Minor League Baseball \u2014 but did not appear in a Major League game.<\/p>\n

The Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds did not respond to requests for comment on Kirby\u2019s death from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n

Graves Memorial Baptist Church in North Little Rock, where the Arkansas native died, first announced Kirby\u2019s passing in a statement on its Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis morning, a tragic accident occurred at our church building involving an employee of Kirby Heating and Air. He was more than an employee \u2014 he was part of our family and our community. Tragically, he lost his life. He was a highly skilled and experienced HVAC technician, and his loss is deeply felt,\u201d the church said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs first responders conclude their work, we want to give them \u2014 and especially the family \u2014 space, privacy and respect,\u201d the statement added. \u201cWe ask that you please pray for the Brian Kirby family, the Kirby Heating and Air team and all those impacted by this heartbreaking situation. May God bring comfort and peace in the midst of this sorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is unclear what led to Kirby\u2019s death. Church officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n

The Pulaski County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a report that deputies were called to the church at about 11:20 a.m. and found Kirby unresponsive on the roof. Authorities used a drone to locate his body \u201cnear two air conditioning units on the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many members of the church community, including Kathy Heineman Wages, shared condolences with the Kirby family following the announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart breaks for the Kirby family and for our church family. The angels welcomed our brother in Christ home today, and we await the day we\u2019ll see him again,\u201d Wages wrote on Facebook<\/a>. \u201cMay God provide comfort and healing of hearts to all who knew him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com<\/a> Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair<\/a> Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost<\/a><\/p>\n