Mariners prospect Greg Halman was stabbed to death on Nov. 21 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch police arrested Halman's younger brother as a suspect.

“The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman,” Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln, president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement on behalf of entire Mariners organization. “Greg was a part of our organization since he was 16 and we saw him grow into a passionate young man and talented baseball player. He had an infectious smile that would greet you in the clubhouse, and he was a tremendous teammate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family.”

Halman, 24, spent seven years in the Mariners organization. The outfielder hit .251/.312/.483 throughout his minor league career and ranked in the last five Baseball America Prospect Handbooks, peaking at No. 1 in 2009. Over 44 games in the big leagues, he hit .207/.233/.302.

“I only knew Greg for a brief time, but I feel lucky that I had the chance to get to know him,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said in a statement. “He was a fine young man with a bright future. Greg had a tremendous energy about him, both on and off the field, that I loved. This is just tragic. That’s all I can think, that this is so tragic and sad.”

Before signing with the Mariners, Halman initially agreed to sign with the Twins. But the deal was voided because the Twins were concerned with Halman's makeup, in part due to his brother's run-ins with the law.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Greg Halman," said Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. "Greg was passionate about the game of baseball and generously gave of himself to share his passion with others in an attempt to help grow the sport’s popularity across Europe. He will be sorely missed. Having played for the Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and having participated in the recent 2011 European Big League Tour, Greg’s lasting legacy is sure to be the trail he helped blaze for European youth to follow in his footsteps. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family, his teammates, the Mariners organization and his many friends and fans throughout Europe and America.”