Los Angeles Angels fire scout who filmed Rockies coaches

The Los Angeles Angels fired pro scout Justin Prinstein earlier this season after he was caught filming Colorado Rockies coaches on his cell phone at Coors Field. Prinstein, who referred to himself on social media as “The Baseball Spy,” was only hired by the Angels in December before being let go just months into the job.

A member of the Rockies organization spotted Prinstein recording Colorado’s coaching staff from the seating section reserved for scouts ahead of the Angels-Rockies series from June 1-3. The Rockies reported the incident to Major League Baseball, who then alerted the Angels front office. While filming is generally permitted for scouts, using technology to steal or decode signs outside of what’s televised during a sanctioned game broadcast is strictly against MLB rules.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian fired Prinstein immediately upon learning of the violation. Minasian also personally apologized to the Rockies front office, including president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes.

The Rockies reported the incident to MLB, which alerted the Angels front office.

Then-Angels general manager Perry Minasian fired Prinstein right away, sources told @Britt_Ghiroli and @SamBlum3.

More details (free to read):https://t.co/v9NMR8dmPg

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 21, 2026

Stolen signs and all, the Rockies still found a way to win the series, taking two of three from the Angels. But the situation raises eyebrows when you look a little closer.

Prinstein was also at Coors Field for a previous homestand, where he would have had the opportunity to watch Michael Lorenzen pitch. When the Angels then faced Lorenzen in their next series, they racked up the runs against him, shelling the right-hander for eight earned runs in just 3.1 innings, his worst start since the home opener.

The incident draws uncomfortable parallels to the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. That situation similarly involved the use of technology to steal and decode signs.

At 40-61, the Angels have the worst record in the American League and are well outside the playoff picture. Now, the whole episode begs a simple question: Why go through the trouble of stealing signs against a team like the Rockies?

Whether it made any difference on the field or not, it cost Prinstein his job and left the Angels with yet another embarrassment in an already difficult season.

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