Final 2018 PED Suspension Rundown

Now that we’re well into January, I have updated my prior posts from March, May and July 2018 with the final information through the end of 2018. The Eric Skoglund suspension will be reflected in my 2019 tracking. I expect to make my first post about 2019 suspensions after Spring Training.

I am also thinking about keeping a database to keep more accurate counts of organizational numbers and have a better look at long-term trends going forward. I will definitely share any insights I gain in the future.

Minor-League Suspensions

1/12: Wilfre Delgado, RHP – CHC (72 games, Stanozolol)
1/12: Antonio Police, RHP – BOS (72 games, Boldenone)
1/12: Joel Romero, Free Agent RHP (80 games, Stanozolol)
1/19: Tucker Baca, LHP – BAL (60 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
1/23: Dean Deetz, RHP (MLB suspension but player with prospect eligibility) – HOU (80 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
1/26: Ryan Newell, RHP – MIA (80 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
1/26: Jose Santiago, RHP – SEA (140 games, Drostanolone and Oxandrolone)
2/7: Raudy Read, C – WAS (80 games, Boldenone)
2/8: Jake Romanski, C – BOS (100 games, amphetamine)
2/8: Landon Hughes, Free Agent RHP (68 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
2/10: Alex Cunningham, RHP – SD (50 games, amphetamine)
2/16: Carlos Ventura, OF – CLE (72 games, Stanozolol)
3/16: Thomas Pannone, LHP – CLE (80 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
4/4: Joel Bender, LHP – CIN (50 games, : amphetamine/methamphetamine)
4/4: Nathanael Heredia, LHP – STL (72 games, Stanozolol)
4/4: Andrew Maggi, SS – CLE (50 games, amphetamine)
4/6: Alsis Herrera, LHP – CLE (80 games, Stanozolol)
4/6: Luis Diaz, RHP – ARI (72 games, Stanozolol)
5/3: Eric Marinez, OF/SS – OAK (80 games, Clomiphene)
5/3: Walter Rasquin, OF/2B – NYM (50 games, methamphetamine)
5/18: Joel Espinal, RHP – TOR (80 games, Stanozolol)
5/18: Domingo Jimenez, RHP – CLE (80 games, Stanozolol)
6/7: Fernando Abad, LHP – FA (80 games, Stanozolol)
6/15: Tyler Spurlin, RHP – MIL (50 games, amphetamine)
6/15: Jorge Ferrer, LHP – CHW (72 games, Stanozolol)
6/22: Jaison Paniagua, RHP – NYM (72 games, Stanozolol)
6/22: Yosiel Serrano, RHP – TEX (72 games, Stanozolol)
6/22: Yoanys Quiala, RHP – HOU (80 games, Drostanolone)
7/6: Oscar De La Cruz, RHP (MLB suspension but player w/prospect eligibility) – CHC (80 games, Furosemide)
7/20: David Olmedo-Barrera, OF – TB (80 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone)
7/20: Yeisel De Los Santos, LHP – SEA (72 games, Stanozolol)
7/20: Joselin Vallejo, RHP – ATL (72 games, Stanozolol)
7/20: Saul Vazquez, LHP – CHC (72 games, Nandrolone)
8/1: Ruben Garcia, RHP – BAL (50 games, amphetamine)
8/1: Eddison Polonia, RHP – PIT (72 games, Stanozolol)
8/1: Jonathan Pryor, OF – WAS (76 games, Dehydro-chlormethyltestosterone )
8/24: Carlos Diaz, OF – HOU (56 games, Boldenone)
8/24: Franklin Hernandez, RHP – MIL (76 games, Stanozolol)
8/24: Braxton LIght, RHP – CHC (50 games, amphetamine)
8/31: Alberto Schmidt, C – BOS (76 games, Stanozolol)
8/31: Alex Banks, RHP – MIN (72 games, Stanozolol)
11/9: Oscar Tovar, RHP – OAK (50 games, Phentermine)
11/9: Christian Charle, RHP – PIT (72 games, Stanozolol)
11/9: Heriberto Sosa, RHP – SD (72 games, Stanozolol)
11/19: Griffin Conine, OF – TOR (50 games, Ritalinic Acid)
12/14: Hunter Oliver, RHP – CIN (50 games, amphetamine)
12/14: Dallas Woolfolk, RHP – OAK (50 games, amphetamine)

Breakdown by Position

P – 36; C – 3; Utility – 2; INF – 1; OF – 5

Major-League Suspensions

1/22: Dean Deetz (see above)
2/10: Alex Cunningham (see above)
2/21: Forrest Whitley, P – HOU (50 games, stimulant)
3/10: Jorge Bonifacio, RF – KC (80 games, Boldenone)
3/18: Jorge Polanco, SS – MIN (80 games, Stanozolol)
5/15: Robinson Canó, 2B – SEA (80 games, Furosemide – PED masking agent)
5/24: Welington Castillo, C – CHW (80 games, Erythropoietin)
7/6: Oscar De La Cruz, RHP (Player w/prospect eligibility) – CHC (80 games, Furosemide)

Note: This list includes players who have tested positive for PEDs and stimulants. Some players listed as having suspensions due to PED violations on the spotrac.com page I consulted turned out not to be suspended for PEDs but rather other drugs upon further research, so they are not listed. I have also chosen not to list players whose positive drug test result was not specified as a PED, stimulant or drug of abuse.

Breakdown by Position

P – 3; INF – 2; OF – 1; C – 1

MiLB and MLB Suspensions Organizational Breakdown

ARI – 1; ATL – 1; BAL – 2; BOS – 3; CHC – 4; CHW – 2; CIN – 2; CLE – 5; Free Agent – 3; HOU – 4; KC – 1; MIA – 1; MIL – 2; MIN – 2; NYM – 2; OAK – 3; PIT – 2; SD – 2; SEA – 3; STL – 1; WAS – 2; TB – 1; TEX – 1; TOR – 2

Total Organizations: 23 (out of 30)

Organizational/Group Leaderboard

1. CLE – 5
2. HOU – 4
3. CHC – 4

My Takeaways

• Stanozolol was the drug of choice late in the year.
• Cleveland had the most confirmed cheaters. The Cubs closed out the year with two more suspensions to tie Houston for second place.
• Most of the suspended players appear to be Latino, which would support the claim made by Tampa Bay Rays OF Carlos Gómez that Latino players are targeted for testing. I plan to do further research to confirm.

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