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The Astros’ top pitching prospect will not see a professional pitcher’s mound for a while.
Forrest Whitley, the Astros’ top pitching prospect, has been suspended without pay for fifty games. This is due to a violation of the minor league rules of its drug program per Buster Olney of ESPN.
Welp.
The Astros’ Forrest Whitley, one of baseball’s best pitching prospects, has been suspended 50 games without pay for a violation of the minor-league drug program.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 21, 2018
This is clearly not the news Whitley nor the Astros wanted to explain on a Wednesday morning in February. If there was a positive in this situation, it appears that Whitley quickly accepted responsibility for his actions.
Whitley statement through agent:
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 21, 2018
"I made a mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to the Astros organization, my family, and those closest to me. I will learn from this mistake and continue striving to be the best baseball player that I can be."
And the Astros through general manager Jeff Luhnow expressed their own statement on the matter.
#Astros GM Jeff Luhnow discussing Forrest Whitley’s 50-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/6FOiclPyB1
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) February 21, 2018
As well as Major League Baseball.
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Forrest Whitley has received a 50-game suspension without pay for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, effective start of Texas League season.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 21, 2018
Per a source from Chuck Miketinac of Fox 29 in San Antonio, the failed drug test appears to be linked to Whitley needing to stay awake during a long drive home.
Can confirm @Buster_ESPN report. Forrest Whitley suspended for 50 games. Source tells me Whitley was at an out of state college baseball game as a fan after his season was over and was given an unknown stimulant by a friend in order to help keep him awake on his long drive home.
— Chuck Miketinac (@MaxSportsSA) February 21, 2018
Mr. Miketinac’s source also mentions that Whitley hired an attorney in an attempt to stop the ruling.
Source says the Whitley’s hired an attorney to try to challenge the MLB ruling because they’ve known for weeks this was coming down, but were unable to stop the ruling.
— Chuck Miketinac (@MaxSportsSA) February 21, 2018
Take of all that as you will.
The suspension will undoubtedly be a temporary setback in Whitley’s development as he was expected to start the 2018 season with the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Astros’ Double-A affiliate in the Texas League. The 20-year old pitcher placed himself high on baseball’s overall prospect list following an impressive 2017 campaign. Whitley has consistently been ranked as one of the top ten or fifteen prospects in baseball this off-season.
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In terms of a potential debut in the majors, this likely doesn’t move the needle much. This author would be surprised if Whitley isn’t part of the September promotions once the rosters expand. The Astros are surely not thrilled, though, with the lost time in terms of his development. At the same time, this suspension appears not to be the byproduct of a nefarious plot by Whitley to circumvent the rules. If anything, it was a careless mistake by the young man. And we all were young once. Hopefully for Whitley he learns from this lesson and doesn’t let it become a distraction.