Houston Astros Prospect Jonathan Singleton Suspended 50 Games For 2013 Season
By Josh Sanchez
Houston Astros prospect Jonathan Singleton will miss the first 50 games of the 2013 season after being suspended for his second violation of minor league baseball’s drug policy.
Singleton issued an apology through his agents, Adam Karon and Matt Sosnick.
“I was informed today that I have tested positive for marijuana,” Singleton said. “As a result, I am being suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season. I accept the penalty and take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to my parents, the Houston Astros and [general manager] Jeff Luhnow.
“The Astros have been nothing but supportive of me and good to me in my short time with the organization. My hope is to use this as a learning experience and spend the rest of my career proving to myself and the baseball community that this was a lapse in judgment, and is not in any way indicative of my character or my dedication to baseball or to my team.”
Singleton batted .284 with 21 homers and 79 RBIs last season for Double-A Corpus Christi. He is considered the Astros second rated prospect and the No. 46 prospect in baseball.
Sosnick released a statement of his own to confirm the Astros have heard of Singleton’s suspension.
“We are disappointed in the decisions that Jonathan made leading up to this positive test,” Luhnow said.
“Jonathan has expressed regret for his decision and we expect will take the necessary steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. He has owned up to his actions and that is a necessary first step. The Astros will support Jonathan through this difficult time and we hope this example will prevent other athletes from making similar decisions.”