The San Francisco Giants farm system took a small hit on Friday, with the announcement that right-handed relief pitcher Austin Reich had been suspended 50 games for violating MLB’s Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Reich was one of five players suspended, though the other four (one pitcher each from the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins, and two pitchers from the Minnesota Twins) were suspended for 60 games.
Reich’s suspension, which will begin at the start of the Minor League season, was due to the stimulant Amphetamine.
A 24-year old who was an undrafted free agent in 2019, Reich had a breakout year in 2021.