Bo Naylor Testifies in New York Court Regarding Alleged Pitch Rigging
Bo Naylor, former catcher for the Cleveland Guardians, took the stand in a New York courtroom on Thursday, addressing allegations of pitch rigging involving Guardians pitchers. Naylor was with the Guardians from 2022 until recently, when he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, who emerged as World Series champions.
During his testimony, Naylor was presented with numerous video clips showcasing pitches thrown by Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz in 2025, as defense attorneys scrutinized his knowledge and involvement.
Naylor’s Insights on Pitch Strategy
Naylor revealed that he had identified a certain pitch, a slider directed away from St. Louis Cardinals player Pedro Pages, as a weakness. He emphasized that he was unaware that specific pitches could be wagered on by bettors.
According to Naylor, pitchers and catchers formulate strategies through pregame meetings to exploit the hitting weaknesses of their opponents. He acknowledged that, despite meticulous planning, even top pitchers cannot guarantee pitch accuracy.
Details on Clase’s Performance and Conduct
Naylor described Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, as having commendable pitch command, particularly with his fastball. However, he noted that Clase’s offspeed pitches were less reliable.
Furthermore, Naylor mentioned that he often observed Clase using his phone in the locker room. Prosecutors allege that Clase may have violated Major League Baseball rules by communicating with gamblers during games.
Allegations Concerning Gambling Profits
The indictment states that bettors reportedly accrued $400,000 from wagers on pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025, with Ortiz allegedly joining the scheme in June 2025. In a particularly incriminating instance, it is claimed that Clase used his phone during a game to coordinate a pitch with a bettor.
Pitching Records and Recent Performances
In his last full season in 2024, Clase established himself as one of the premier closers in the league, achieving a 1.21 ERA and finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. However, by the time he was investigated in 2025, his ERA had risen to 3.80. Ortiz, on the other hand, holds a lifetime 4.36 ERA, with his best performance recorded in 2024 at 3.32.
Contractual Context
Clase had signed a five-year, $20 million contract before the start of the 2022 season after a commendable rookie year, while Ortiz was earning the veteran minimum of $782,600 last season, as he was not yet eligible for arbitration.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Reports contributed by OutKick’s Ryan Gaydos, Jackson Thompson, and The Associated Press.
Discussion about this post