Mitchell Tolman suspended for 50 games

Pirates’ minor league infielder Mitchell Tolman has been suspended for 50 games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse. (H/t Piratesprospects.com.)

Tolman batted 267/364/393 at Bradenton in the offense-stifling Florida State League last year. He got a year-end promotion to Altoona and figured to be the second baseman there in 2018, assuming Kevin Kramer moves up to Indianapolis. Tolman will turn 24 in June, shortly after he should return to action. As a borderline prospect who made some progress in 2017, he didn’t exactly do himself any favors.

For years the Pirates were largely free of drug suspensions, outside of an obscure, lower level minor leaguer or two. Last year, though, they got hit with the devastating suspension of Starling Marte. This off-season they’ve now had three upper-level minor leaguers suspended. The other two were lefty Nik Turley and righty Montana DuRapau. These suspensions could significantly hamper the careers of all three players.