By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Former Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor testified Thursday in a New York federal court that he did not know gamblers could place bets on individual pitches until the criminal case against his former teammates, pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, arose.
Testimony Details
Naylor appeared as a defense witness out of turn because he is heading to his wedding. Under cross-examination by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Simmons, Naylor said he was unaware such wagers existed at the time of 2025 game recordings shown to the Brooklyn jury. When asked if he knew people bet tens of thousands of dollars on pitches, an objection by defense lawyers was sustained before he could answer.
Sports Betting Context
The testimony highlighted the rapid expansion of legal sports betting, now permitted in 39 states since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way in 2018. Betting on whether a pitch will be a ball or strike is a form of prop betting, a popular wager type focused on individual player performances.
Naylor's Background and Trade
Naylor, who studied Spanish to better communicate with Spanish-speaking teammates, was traded by Cleveland to the Milwaukee Brewers in August, just weeks before his new team won the World Series.
Allegations Against Clase and Ortiz
Clase, 28, and Ortiz, 27, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges filed a year ago. Prosecutors allege the players accepted several thousand dollars in payments so gamblers could bet on individual pitches, enabling the gamblers to pocket at least $460,000. Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, reportedly began providing pitch information in 2023 and recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Both are free on bail and on nondisciplinary leave without pay.
Catcher-Pitcher Dynamics
Naylor described how catchers and pitchers develop strategy during pregame meetings, analyzing batters' weaknesses. He acknowledged pitchers ultimately decide which pitch to throw, as they can wave off the catcher's call. Naylor said Clase had "pretty good command" of his pitches.
Cockfighting Rumors
During questioning by Clase's defense attorney, Michael Ferrara, Naylor said he had heard rumors around the clubhouse that Clase was involved in cockfighting with acquaintances from the Dominican Republic, where Clase grew up. Clase's lawyers have argued his friends shared enthusiasm for cockfights, which are legal in the Dominican Republic, and dominoes, not sports gambling.
