Former Angels Infielder David Fletcher Linked to Illegal Betting Scandal

Former Los Angeles Angels infielder and current Atlanta Braves minor leaguer David Fletcher has been linked to the Ippei Mizuhara scandal, according to a report by ESPN. The scandal involves illegal bookmaking and alleged theft from former Angels player Shohei Ohtani.

It has been reported that Fletcher placed bets with Mathew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker at the center of the scandal. However, Fletcher himself is not accused of gambling on baseball. Nevertheless, his friend Colby Schultz, a former Kansas City Royals minor leaguer, reportedly placed bets on MLB games, including Angels games that Fletcher participated in.

Moreover, Fletcher disclosed to ESPN that he was present at a poker game in San Diego in 2021, where Mizuhara first encountered Bowyer. Although Fletcher denied introducing Mizuhara to Bowyer, he admitted that Bowyer gained access to the poker game through an acquaintance of his.

Fletcher also revealed that he had previously met Bowyer while playing golf and was aware of Bowyer's bookmaking activities. Nonetheless, he asserted that he had never placed a bet with Bowyer's organization himself.

Legal Implications and MLB's Response

While MLB players and team personnel are permitted to bet on sports other than baseball, gambling on baseball is strictly prohibited, even in places where it is legal. It is expected that MLB will conduct an investigation into Fletcher's involvement. The commissioner, Rob Manfred, has the authority to decide on any disciplinary actions, including the possibility of a lifetime ban, drawing comparisons to the case of Pete Rose, who received a lifetime ban after admitting to betting on baseball.

Furthermore, Bowyer is currently under federal investigation, and both Mizuhara and Fletcher have been implicated during the course of the investigation. Mizuhara is accused of stealing a substantial sum of money from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts, utilizing various methods such as wire transfers and impersonation. Mizuhara has entered a not guilty plea but is reportedly negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. If convicted, he could face up to 33 years in prison, primarily for bank fraud.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Fletcher, who signed a five-year extension worth $26 million in April 2021, has seen a change in his career trajectory. The Angels traded him to the Braves in a recent salary dump trade. Although Atlanta placed him on waivers, he went unclaimed. Throughout his career, Fletcher has maintained a batting average of .276, an on-base percentage of .323, and a slugging percentage of .358.