One of the San Diego Padres’ top pitching prospect, right-hander Ryan Butler, was suspended 50 games Thursday for violating minor league baseball’s drug program, according to The San Diego Union Tribune.
Butler’s suspension stems from a second positive test for an abuse of a drug, and will be suspended without pay immediately beginning the 2016 season.
He’s currently listed on the team’s Single-A Lake Elsinore team, so his suspension will correspond with that team’s schedule.
Butler, 23, is ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the Padres system according to Baseball America and is ranked as the team’s 13th best prospect according to MLB.com.
He collected a 3-5 record and 3.90 ERA in 46 2/3 innings between the Arizona Rookie League, Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio last season, working as both a starter and a reliever.
His fastball can touch 101 mph when he works in relief, according to MLB.com.
Drugs that are considered drugs of abuse in the minor league drug program include “marijuana, cocaine, LSD, heroin and other opiates,” according to the U-T report.
