Astros: Singleton and Deetz suspended after failing drug tests

With all the positive news surrounding the Houston Astros, we get some negative news.

Not that it really reflects on the organization, but two Astros minor leaguers are suspended after failing a drug test. According to JJ Cooper, Dean Deetz and Jon Singleton are suspended after failing a drug test.

Only one of those two players were projected to be a factor with the Astros in 2018. While Singleton is a former top prospect acquired in the Roy Oswalt deal, his career has stalled out. As much as I rooted for him to succeed, things just didn’t work out for him.

First baseman Singleton.

When Singleton was called up in 2014, he signed an extension before his first at-bat. He signed a five-year $10 million deal that locked him up through 2018. Then he had three team options for 2019-2021, but those are unlikely to be picked up.  He has made $2 million each year since 2014, where he made $1.5 million.

Even though the team is paying him, he’s only accumulated 420 career at-bats. They were mostly in the 2014 season, but he hasn’t played in the big leagues much. With all the potential in the world, Singleton found himself back with the Double-A Hooks last year.

Singleton hasn’t helped himself much, reporting to spring training in 2015 built like a running back. This is also his third failed drug test, so he will be suspended for 100 games this year. It sounds like it was Marijana again, his drug of choice from the past.

Once a promising prospect, Singleton has become an afterthought. If anyone ever needed a change of scenery, it was Singleton. With this suspension, it is highly unlikely we will ever see him in an Astros uniform again. He will not be paid during his suspension, which will save some of the $2 million owed for 2018. Can the Astros void the contract? Not sure, that’s above my pay grade.

RHP Deetz.

Deetz on the other hand, had a outside chance of making the roster opening day in the bullpen. It was highly unlikely with the additions the team made this year. However, he probably could have made his debut at some point this season. Via Matt Young of the Chronicle, he tested “positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing substance.”

When he returns from suspension, he will probably report to Triple-A. Maybe a late season debut could be in order.

According to MLB Pipeline, Deetz is the 24th top prospect in the Astros farm system. He could later be turned into a starter, but with the stacked rotation, he will probably be a reliever. With players like Brad Peacock and Collin McHugh able to make spot starts, there may not be a need. As a reliever, he can throw 97 mph with a 85 mph slider.

Next: Astros: Jonathan Lucroy is not likely an option for backup catcher

One player is at the beginning of his career, the other’s career is up in the air at this point. Good luck to both players when they return at some point. Enough negative, let’s talk positive things from now on. If that’s even possible.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and MLB Pipeline***