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18 Of 20 Top Prospects From Dominican Republic Failed Drug Tests? MLB Says No

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It was a bombshell that had the capacity to send shock waves through the prospects ranks of Major League Baseball. A reporter claimed that 18 out of the top 20 prospects out of the Dominican Republic for the 2018-2019 international signing period failed drug tests. The claim came from reporter Neftalí Ruiz with the story running on news station Nosticias SIN out of the island nation where many top players in MLB have hail from.

The news spread on Twitter and raised questions that many of the players would be rejected out of signings where any potential chances of being re-signed would come with lower signing values and risk.

And while a part of the current MLB collective bargaining agreement states that the 150 players deemed to be “Level 2” prospects that are selected are subject to one or more pre-contract drug tests pursuant to the terms of MLB’s Drug Prevention Program for prospects not subject to the First-Year Player Draft, according to the league, there were no such failed drug tests.

“While we cannot provide any information regarding prospect test results, this report has no truth to it whatsoever,” said the executive at Major League Baseball. Asked for details of who these players might be, the league exec responded that, “Under the terms of the drug program, we are not permitted to disclose any information on prospect drug test results.”

The league added that neither Ruiz or anyone at Nosticias SIN reached out to them for comment or to allow them to correct the story.

When asked where a rumor like this might come from, the reply was simply, “We have no idea.”

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