From the Mound to Prison: Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Sentenced in Underage Sting

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox, once celebrated for his rise through the major leagues, has now been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges in an underage sex sting operation.

Maddox, 34, admitted guilt on two counts: attempting to meet a minor for unlawful acts and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. In exchange, Florida prosecutors dropped a charge of soliciting a child via computer. Judge Lindsay Tygart handed down the three-year sentence, with Maddox receiving credit for the 501 days he has already served behind bars. Following his release, he will also serve five years of sex offender probation.

The sentencing stems from a multi-agency sting conducted in April 2024 that led to 27 arrests. Authorities said Maddox arranged to meet what he thought was an underage girl at a predetermined location, where he was immediately taken into custody by law enforcement.

Maddox’s fall from grace has been swift. A standout at the University of Florida, he was drafted by the Red Sox in 2012 and worked his way through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 2017. His time in the majors was brief, and his post-baseball life became increasingly troubled.

At the time of his arrest, Maddox was already on probation for a drug offense stemming from a 2022 arrest in Baker County, Florida. That record, combined with the current conviction, means his future is now permanently tied to the restrictions and stigma of being a registered sex offender.

For a man once known for his powerful pitching arm, Maddox’s story now serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a promising career can unravel through reckless and destructive choices.