Danielle Husband
According to announcements this week, Astros star pitching prospect Forrest Whitley will receive a 50-game suspension without pay for violating Minor League Baseball’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs.
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The suspension is standard for minor league players who violate the policy, per league rules.
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Although expected to start the season in the minor, Whitley reportedly stood a good chance of reaching the majors by the end of the season, according to analysts.
https://twitter.com/ForrestWhitley/status/745699277331136512
Standing at 6’7,” Whitley is already known for being a formidable right-handed starter:
During the 2017-2018 season, he reportedly earned 143 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings.
A San Antonio native, Whitley started playing in the Astros farm system during 2016, when the franchise selected him as the 17th overall draft pick.
🔥🔥🔥 #DSTathlete and #Astros RHP @ForrestWhitley setting a facility record of 99mph today in a velo pen! #DSTfuego #DSTstrong💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/UD68qhffQQ
— DST Performance (@DST_Houston) February 20, 2018
Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow expressed the team’s disappointment about the suspension in an interview with reporters:
“As an organization, we’re going to suffer a little bit but we’re still optimistic that Forrest can be a big part of our future,” Luhnow said.
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow talks to media regarding Forrest Whitley suspension. "We're disappointed in the outcome," he said. pic.twitter.com/XMJww7jA1X
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 21, 2018
Under his suspension, the earliest Whitley could return is May 29 in the 51st scheduled game of the Corpus Christi Hooks, a minor league Double-A team.
However, he may still join the Astros roster during the summer months:
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“I made a mistake and take full responsibility for my actions,” Whitley provided in statement. “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.”
The first preseason Astros game for 2018 is scheduled for Friday against the Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach.
