WASHINGTON - Braves minor league outfielder Justin Black was slapped with a 50-game suspension Monday by the baseball commissioner's office after testing positive for an amphetamine in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.
He’s the fourth Braves minor leaguer in five months to draw a lengthy suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Black, 21, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 who’s struggled for most of seasons at the rookie-ball level, compiling a .195 batting average with five homers and a .286 on-base percentage in 494 plate appearances.
After a half-season in the Gulf Coast League in 2012, he hit .144 with seven extra-base hits (one homer) and a .219 OBP in 169 plate appearances at Danville in 2013. In his second season at Danville, he hit .262 with 12 extra-base hits (two homers) and a .349 OBP in 168 plate appearances.
“It’s disappointing,” said Bruce Manno, Braves assistant general manager and director of player development. “We educate them and educate them about the rules. It’s disappointing when one of them fails…. We fully support MLB and the (drug prevention) program.”
Braves low-Single A second baseman Mike Reynolds drew a 50-game suspension in May after testing positive for the stimulant methylphenidate, a prescription drug used to treat hyperactivity disorder.
In July, Victor Joaquin and Alvaro Silvestre, a pair of 20-year-old right-handers in the Dominican Summer League, were each suspended 72 games – the length of a full DSL season – after testing positive for steroids.
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