Mariners prospect arrested for role in Australian League brawl

The fallout from the recent bench-clearing incident in the Australian Baseball League has gone beyond record-breaking league sanctions and could wind up in a court of law, according to MiLB.com. In the latest development, Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Troy Scott was arrested on Thursday on an assault charge which stemmed from his involvement in the melee.

The incident in question took place on Jan. 16, when Scott and his Adelaide Bite teammates took on the Melbourne Aces. During the late innings of Adelaide’s 8-2 victory, a beanball war broke out between the rivals, with the bad blood finally boiling over in the final half-inning. During the incident, which was broadcast on Australian television, Scott allegedly punched Melbourne designated hitter Kellin Deglan in the face, leaving him with facial injuries that required dental work.

A fan video seems to capture the punch itself. At around the three-second mark, you’ll see a player on the right side of the pile go down and another take off running.

“The Australian Baseball League has been made aware that formal charges have been filed in relation to the on-field altercation during the game between the Melbourne Aces and Adelaide Bite at Norwood Oval on Jan. 16,” the league said. “The matter is currently in the hands of the authorities and as such the ABL are unable to make any specific comment in relation to the incident or charges at this time.”

Deglan, who’s a prospect in the Texas Rangers organization, gave a statement to police which led to the arrest. Scott, 21, was formally charged with one count of assault causing harm and is scheduled to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

According to the MiLB.com report, Scott was initially suspended for six games, which is the most severe punishment in ABL history. It has since been amended to an indefinite suspension, which will keep Scott out of the on-going ABL Championship Series.

Scott, who was Seattle’s 18th round selection in 2013, is not among the organization’s top 20 prospects.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813