Angels Fire Advance Scout After Caught Filming Rockies Coaching Staff

The Los Angeles Angels dismissed advance scout Justin Prinstein following his discovery filming Colorado Rockies coaching staff members from the stadium stands during the teams’ June matchup at Coors Field, The Athletic reported. Prinstein, who had branded himself as “The Baseball Spy” on social media platforms, recorded the Rockies’ coaches in broad daylight using nothing more than a standard smartphone held openly in view of other spectators.

A stadium attendee witnessed Prinstein’s recording activity and reported the incident to Major League Baseball, which subsequently notified the Angels organization. Former Angels General Manager Perry Minasian, dismissed in late June, terminated Prinstein’s employment immediately upon learning of the violation. Minasian subsequently contacted Rockies management to formally apologize for the unauthorized surveillance attempt on a division rival.

The incident represents a direct violation of MLB’s strict prohibitions on using personal electronic devices to capture coaching signals or strategic information, regulations enacted following the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. MLB’s investigation determined Prinstein acted independently, clearing the Angels organization of any league penalties, fines, or draft-pick forfeitures.

The surveillance effort ultimately yielded no competitive advantage for Anaheim. The Rockies won two of three games in the series despite Prinstein’s illicit intelligence gathering, rendering his career-ending transgression entirely ineffectual.