{{short description|American baseball player (born 1991)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Austin Maddox |image = Austin Maddox (cropped).jpg |caption = Maddox at the 2012 College World Series |team = |number = |position = Pitcher |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|5|13}} |birth_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = June 17 |debutyear = 2017 |debutteam = Boston Red Sox |finalleague = MLB |finaldate = September 28 |finalyear = 2017 |finalteam = Boston Red Sox |statleague = MLB |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 0–0 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 0.52 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 14 |teams = * Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2017}}) |medaltemplates={{MedalSport | Men's baseball}} {{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition | World Junior Baseball Championship}} {{MedalSilver | 2008 Edmonton | Team}} }} '''Austin Dean Maddox''' (born May 13, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and convicted sex offender.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Former Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox sentenced to 3 years in prison for soliciting minor in Florida underage sex sting - CBS Miami |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/former-red-sox-pitcher-austin-maddox-sentenced-to-3-years-in-prison-for-soliciting-a-minor/ |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. He batted and threw right-handed, and is listed at {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m}} and {{convert|220|lb|kg}}.
==Early years== Maddox graduated from high school in 2009 as the top catcher in the state of Florida, having batted .544 in his senior year.<ref name=gators/> He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 37th round of the 2009 MLB draft, but he did not sign.<ref name=powers>{{cite news |url=http://www.gainesville.com/sports/20100507/austin-powers-gator-baseball |title=Austin powers Gator baseball |first=Edward |last=Aschoff |newspaper=The Gainesville Sun |date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> Instead, he played college baseball at the University of Florida,<ref name=gators>{{cite web |url=http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=322 |title=Austin Maddox - Florida Gators |website=floridagators.com |date=2011 |accessdate=April 5, 2018}}</ref> where he was teammates with future MLB catcher Mike Zunino.<ref name=powers/> Maddox batted .303 in his three seasons with the Gators (2010–2012).<ref name=gators/> Initially a catcher and infielder, he made a total of 53 appearances as a pitcher in 2011 and 2012, striking out 78 and walking 14 in {{frac|82|1|3}} innings, while compiling a 1.86 earned run average (ERA).<ref name=gators/>
==Professional career== Maddox was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2012 MLB draft, and signed with the team in June 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nesn.com/2012/06/red-sox-sign-newly-drafted-pitchers-brian-johnson-austin-maddox/ |title=Red Sox Sign Newly Drafted Pitchers Brian Johnson, Austin Maddox |first=Timothy |last=Killian |website=NESN |date=June 27, 2012}}</ref>
From 2012 through 2015, Maddox played in the lower levels of Boston's farm system; the Rookie League Gulf Coast League Red Sox, the Class A Short Season Lowell Spinners, the Class A Greenville Drive, and the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox. During 2016, he was promoted to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and then the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. In 2017, he again played in Portland and Pawtucket, and was called up to the majors for the first time on June 15.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/06/15/red-sox-brian-johnson-disabled-list/ |title=Red Sox Place Brian Johnson On DL With Shoulder Impingement |website=WBZ-TV |date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
During six years in the minors, 2012 through 2017, Maddox appeared in 143 games, pitching {{frac|261|1|3}} innings with a 13–18 record, 4.27 ERA, and 1.282 WHIP, while recording 227 strikeouts, 83 walks, and 25 saves.
Maddox made his MLB debut on June 17, 2017, pitching the seventh inning in a Red Sox loss to the Houston Astros; he retired the side without allowing a baserunner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/B06170HOU2017.htm |title=Houston Astros 7, Boston Red Sox 1 |website=Retrosheet |date=June 17, 2017 |accessdate=April 4, 2018}}</ref> He appeared in one more game in June, one game in July, and then ten games during September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2017/Kmadda0010012017.htm |title=The 2017 BOS A Regular Season Pitching Log for Austin Maddox |website=Retrosheet |accessdate=April 4, 2018}}</ref> He finished the regular season with 13 appearances for the 2017 Red Sox, allowing just one earned run in {{frac|17|1|3}} innings pitched (0.52 ERA), with 14 strikeouts and two walks. Maddox was included on Boston's postseason roster for the 2017 American League Division Series.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/10/boston_red_sox_alds_roster_ann.html |title=Boston Red Sox ALDS roster announced: Deven Marrero, Brock Holt, Austin Maddox make the cut |first=Jen |last=McCaffrey |website=masslive.com |date=June 24, 2017 |accessdate=May 8, 2018}}</ref> He made two one-inning appearances against the Houston Astros, allowing one earned run (4.50 ERA), with two strikeouts and two walks, as the Red Sox lost to the eventual World Series champions.
Due to shoulder inflammation during spring training, Maddox began the 2018 season on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-austin-maddox-begins-season-on-dl/ |title=Red Sox's Austin Maddox: Begins season on DL |website=CBS Sports |date=March 29, 2018 |accessdate=April 4, 2018}}</ref> He was sent on rehabilitation assignments with Triple-A Pawtucket on May 18, Double-A Portland on May 30,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2018 |accessdate=May 31, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080457/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Pawtucket again on June 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/06 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2018 |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206033456/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On July 8, he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/07 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=July 2018 |accessdate=July 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206033500/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On August 16, Maddox was sent on a rehabilitation assignment with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, and on August 24 with Triple-A Pawtucket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=August 2018 |accessdate=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231145/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 19, Maddox had surgery on his right rotator cuff with what was described as a right shoulder strain;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2018/09/minor-notes-maddox-has-surgery-can-free.html |title=Minor Notes: Maddox has surgery; can free agency be changed? |website=SoxProspects.com |date=September 24, 2018 |accessdate=September 27, 2018}}</ref> he did not play in any MLB games during 2018. He spent the entire year on the injured list due to an injured rotator cuff. The Red Sox won 108 games in the regular season and won the World Series defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. As he was technically on the team's roster despite not playing any games for them, he was awarded a World Series ring. The ring was listed for sale at Heritage Auctions in 2022 but went unsold. After the season, the Red Sox sent Maddox outright to Pawtucket, removing him from their 40-man roster.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2018/11/boston_red_sox_roster_moves_mi.html |title=Boston Red Sox roster moves |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=November 20, 2018}}</ref>
Maddox spent the 2019 season on the injured list with Pawtucket.<ref name=MiLB>{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=545348# |title=Austin Maddox Stats, Highlights, Bio |website=MiLB.com |accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref> Maddox was released by the Red Sox on October 25, 2019. On February 28, 2020, Maddox announced his retirement from professional baseball.
== Legal issues == On April 28, 2024,<ref name="People-arrest">{{cite news |title=Former Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Arrested in Anti-Child Predator Sting |url=https://people.com/former-red-sox-pitcher-austin-maddox-arrested-in-anti-child-predator-sting-8651530 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> Maddox was taken into custody by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Jacksonville, Florida as part of an undercover sting operation dubbed Operation "Valiant Knights". The operation, which took place from April 24 to April 28, targeted individuals soliciting sexual activity and/or committed to engaging in sex acts with purported minors at pre-arranged locations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Camargo |first=Jenese Harris, Marcela |date=2024-05-20 |title=27 men arrested in Jacksonville undercover sting targeting internet sex crimes against children |url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/05/20/live-sheriff-tk-waters-discusses-multiple-arrests-involving-internet-crimes-against-children/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=WJXT |language=en}}</ref> Video footage of Maddox's arrest was shared by authorities on Facebook on May 20.<ref name="People-arrest"/>
In September 2025, Maddox was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to two felony charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Ex-Red Sox pitcher sentenced to 3 years in prison |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46237395/ex-pitcher-austin-maddox-sentenced-prison-soliciting-minor |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=545348|espn=36139|br=m/maddoau01|fangraphs=14241|brm=maddox001aus}}, or [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/Pmadda001.htm Retrosheet]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maddox, Austin}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Águilas del Zulia players Category:Baseball players from Jacksonville, Florida Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Florida Gators baseball players Category:Greenville Drive players Category:Gulf Coast Red Sox players Category:Lowell Spinners players Category:Salem Red Sox players Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players Category:Portland Sea Dogs players Category:Sportspeople convicted of sex crimes