Reds prospect Justin Reed has been suspended 50 games for a positive "drugs of abuse" test. He is currently assigned to the Billings Mustangs. Photo courtesy of Mike Janes / Four Seam Images)
The bad news is already building up for the Billings Mustangs.
Looking to make a fresh start after a horrid 2009 season (24-52), Billings already has a player suspended for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy.
Outfielder Justin Reed will face a 50-game suspension once the season starts June 21 for a positive “drug of abuse” test. Drugs of abuse do not include performance-enhancing drugs. They include marijuana, cocaine, LSD, opiates, ecstasy, GHB and PCP. To be suspended, a player has to test positive twice.
As the Pioneer League’s season is only 76 games long, this will effectively be a wasted summer for the 2006 fourth-round pick. And that’s not something the 22-year-old can afford. In five minor league seasons, he has hit a combined .229/.312/.343 (BA/OBP/SLG). He started the 2010 campaign with High-A Lynchburg Hillcats in Virginia only to be demoted back to Billings, where he spent part of the 2007 season.
He needs to prove himself as quickly as possible. And 26 games isn’t going to give him much time. (Of course, the Cincinnati Reds could assign him to a full-season club, starting his suspension earlier and squeezing an extra week and half out him.)
Those of you with sharp memories will remember former Chukar Nick Francis was suspended 50 games last year for a drugs of abuse violation. He was reinstated two weeks ago and is currently with the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks. And Jason Taylor started the 2009 season with the Chukars after a drugs of abuse suspension.
Filed under: Around the Pioneer League Tagged: | Billings Mustangs, drugs of abuse, Justin Reed, Pioneer League, suspension
