Disgraced former MLB star surprises Ontario youth team days before prison sentencing

When the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team signed former MLB All-Star Yasiel Puig last month, many locals were in disbelief.

It might have been a mix between the Canadian Baseball League's amateur status and why a former MLB star would want to play here, or the fact that the 35-year-old is currently awaiting prison sentencing in a high-profile U.S. federal sports gambling case.

Despite the off-field attention, Puig has certainly embraced this new baseball opportunity with Toronto. The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder homered in each of his first two at-bats with the Maple Leafs and has made appearances all around the city.

On Tuesday night, Puig surprised two youth baseball teams at a U11 game between the Vaughan Vikings and the Orillia Royals at Tudor District Park in Vaughan, Ont.

"Nice visit from Yasiel Puig with our friends from the Orillia Royals," the Vaughan Vikings shared on Instagram alongside photos of the two teams posing with Puig. 

Former MLB star Yasiel Puig pulled up to a York Simcoe Baseball Association game between Vaughan Vikings and Orilla Royals. (@vaughanvikings2015aa/Instagram)

In February, Puig was found guilty in U.S. federal court of running an illegal sports betting operation and lying to federal prosecutors. He could reportedly face up to 20 years in prison.

Puig's final game for Toronto could come Saturday on the road against the defending CBL champion Welland Jackfish. However, Maple Leafs CEO Keith Stein previously said the organization is not concerned about the controversy or potentially losing the former MLB star.

"The issues have been dealt with by the justice system and more qualified parties," Stein told the Toronto Star. "We are focused on putting the best talent we can on the field that we can be proud of. We think Puig is on the right track in his personal life."

Puig's future in the Canadian Baseball League could become clearer in the coming days, as he is scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles for sentencing on May 26.