Tuesday’s surprising announcement by the Commissioner’s Office of the suspension of St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Cody Stanley for a positive test for Methylhexaneamine and Tamoxifen was lodged against the system’s most visible minor leaguer to date.
The action against Stanley, our 26th-ranked Cardinals prospect, is the organization’s third suspension since the conclusion of last season. It is at least the 24th affecting a St. Louis farmhand since 2005, the early days of what is now the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
17-year-old Dominican pitcher Erick Hurtado was considered to be the second-best player in this year’s international class for the organization. However, the left-hander’s agreement with the Cardinals was voided earlier this month when he tested positive for Stanozolol as part of his background checks.
In November, Batavia outfielder Reggie Williams was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season. His banned substance was one of the same ones detected in Stanley, Methylhexaneamine. Williams is currently participating in minor league camp, but is prohibited from playing in regular season contests until his time is served. Now, Stanley will be joining him.
Of the 24 Cardinals players suspended under the program to date, seven are currently in the system, including Stanley and Williams (see names below designated with #). None have yet reached the major leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals minor league drug suspensions (2005-present)
| Date | Player Name | Substance | Length |
| 4/4/2005 | Sal Frisella | PEDs | 15 games |
| 5/13/2005 | Jeremy Cummings | PEDs | 15 games |
| 4/18/2006 | Yonathan Sivira | PEDs | 50 games |
| 8/2/2006 | Marcos Chavez | PEDs | 50 games |
| 8/2/2006 | Jonathan Gonzalez | PEDs | 50 games |
| 2/20/2008 | Scott Vander Weg | PEDs | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Braulin Beltre | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Andres Beras | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Yedilson Pena | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 8/25/2008 | Juan Castillo# | Stanozolol | 50 games |
| 12/1/2008 | Wilfred Vivas | Methandienone | 50 games |
| 4/9/2009 | Deryk Hooker# | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 5/15/2009 | Kenny Maiques | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 6/23/2009 | Dail Villanueva# | Nandrolone | 50 games |
| 10/6/2009 | Alan Ahmady# | Amphetamines | 50 games |
| 12/4/2009 | Jefferson Segundo | Stanozolol | 50 games |
| 12/21/2009 | Tyler Bighames | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 8/31/2010 | Jean Carlos De La Cruz | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 8/31/2010 | Delvi Rodriguez# | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 9/30/2010 | Lainer Bueno | Clenbuterol | 50 games |
| 6/24/2011 | Andrew Moss | Drostanolone | 50 games |
| 11/1/2011 | Reggie Williams# | Methylhexaneamine | 50 games |
| 3/6/2012 | Erick Hurtado* | Stanozolol | 50 games |
| 3/27/2012 | Cody Stanley# | Methylhexaneamine, Tamoxifen | 50 games |
| # currently in organization | |||
| * signing voided |
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