Welch is the second Mets prospect in as many months to be disciplined for a second positive test.
For the second time in just over three weeks, a Mets prospect has been disciplined for a second positive test for drugs. Brandon Welch, a right-hander in the club's farm system, has been suspended once more as a result of violating Major League Baseball's anti-drug regulations.
#Mets minor leaguer Brandon Welch has been suspended 50 games for second violation involving drug of abuse, according to MLB.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 16, 2015Welch, who was selected in the fifth round by the Mets in 2012, recorded 33.0 innings over 14 appearances with the Cyclones in 2014, going 2-2 with a 5.18 ERA. The exact drug in both instances was not reported.
This is the second Mets farm player to be hit with such a suspension since last month. Just before Christmas, L.J. Mazzilli, son of former Mets standout Lee Mazzilli, received a 50-game suspension for his second positive test. Mazzilli is much farther along in the development process than Welch, but unfortunately will miss the first part of the season due to his own drug-relation suspension and will be set back.
Hopefully it's a lesson learned for both young men and they can get their priorities in order, not only to continue their baseball careers, but to keep their personal lives on track.