According to Rob Biertempfel, minor league infielder Kevin Ross has been suspended 50 games for his second positive test for a drug of abuse. Ross was an eighth round draft pick of the Pirates in 2012 out of high school and signed for a $130,000 bonus.
The 21-year-old spent the 2014 season with Jamestown, hitting .265/.281/.352 in 44 games. Ross was selected for the NYPL All-Star game. He was a shortstop in high school, then played mostly third base after signing, and in 2014 he moved to first base. Ross spent most of the 2013 season on the restricted list, which is used both for players who fail drug tests and if a player violates his contract terms. The reason was never announced.
Ross was placed on the West Virginia Power roster this off-season, so his suspension will begin on Opening Day of the minor league season.
MLB suspends #Pirates minor league 1B Kevin Ross 50 games for second positive test for a drug of abuse. He's on @wv_power roster.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) January 28, 2015