Michael Kopech suspended 50 games

[Corsi]

Brian MacPherson ‏@brianmacp  50s51 seconds ago
Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech suspended 50 games for a positive test for the stimulant Oxilofrine.

 

[semsox]

Ugh

 

[jsinger121]

50 games takes it to the end of the 2015 season for Greenville. See you in 2016.

 

[ehaz]

From the World Anti-Doping Agency:
 

 
Wada states: "A specified substance is a substance which allows, under defined conditions, for a greater reduction of a two-year sanction when an athlete tests positive for that particular substance."
It goes on to say: "Specified substances are not necessarily less serious agents for the purpose of doping than other prohibited substances, and nor do they relieve athletes of the strict liability rule that makes them responsible for all substances that enter his or her body.
However, there is a greater likelihood that these substances could be susceptible to a credible non-doping explanation."

 
 
It's what Tyson Gay tested positive for a few years ago.  Forms of it are used in some sports-nutritional supplements. 

 

[Rasputin]

What an asshat.
 
I wonder how much this is going to affect his prospect status.

 

[nighthob]

It's a form of ephedrine, not much of a performance enhancer.

 

[ehaz]

It's a form of ephedrine, not much of a performance enhancer.

Makes me think he just wasn't very careful with taking sports supplements.  Obviously doesn't change the fact that he's an idiot and out for 50 games, but seems more like a harsh lesson a 19 year old kid a year out of school will just learn from. 

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

An ephedrine like stimulant apparently. He joins busted sprinters...Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Michael Kopech.

 

[RoDaddy]

No wonder he's been hitting 100 on the gun!
 
At 19 years old, they'd be careful to limit his innings pitched this year, so as one of our top pitching prospects, at least we know his arm won't be overtaxed

 

[nighthob]

Makes me think he just wasn't very careful with taking sports supplements.  Obviously doesn't change the fact that he's an idiot and out for 50 games, but seems more like a harsh lesson a 19 year old kid a year out of school will just learn from.

Yeah, it's pretty common in the workout supplements, which is probably where he got it from.

 

[Detts]

I screamed NOOOOOO when I read this due to his uptick in velocity.

I prefer dumbass over back acne.

Learn from this and move on.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

We just can't have nice things.
 
Young kid. Stupid mistake. See you in '16.

 

[E5 Yaz]

"I would like to start by apologizing to all of baseball, baseball fans, and specifically the Red Sox and Red Sox fan base. I respect the game as much, if not more than, anyone else. With that being said, I never have and never will intentionally cheat the game that has been so great to me. I haven't bought any supplements that aren't NSF certified for sport. Therefore, I know I have not bought a supplement containing this drug.
 
I have never heard of Oxilofrine, honestly. Apparently, it is a drug that many people use for weight loss. I have been trying to gain weight since I signed with the Red Sox. I do understand this is also a stimulant. This drug would have no positive outcome for me and that's why I chose to appeal. I realized I didn't have much evidence to prove that I'm innocent, but I didn't have any understanding of how I could have failed a test.
 
I respect the system and understand why they have to be so careful with the testing. I also understand why that means my suspension couldn't have been overturned without proper evidence. I have 50 games to get to work and better myself and as a ball player. Next season I'll be better than ever. Drug free." 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150716&content_id=136960248&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

[semsox]

Interesting that he claimed full ignorance in his statement. As others have mentioned, it would be easy enough to say that he took a supplement that he was unaware contained it. To fully deny wrong-doing seems odd to me as an outside observer.

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

It's a form of ephedrine, not much of a performance enhancer.

 
 
It sounds like Oxilofrine improves strength, though, and I presume it helps build up muscle.  Did he know what he was taking and did he know he was cheating?  He probably knew--most professional athletes are careful about what they put in their bodies.  But he isn’t going to admit it.  Instead, he played dumb.  We see this time and time again; the athlete never owns up to it until he/she is cornered.  Kopech’s statement follows the same script.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

 
 
It sounds like Oxilofrine improves strength, though, and I presume it helps build up muscle.  Did he know what he was taking and did he know he was cheating?  He probably knew--most professional athletes are careful about what they put in their bodies.  But he isn’t going to admit it.  Instead, he played dumb.  We see this time and time again; the athlete never owns up to it until he/she is cornered.  Kopech’s statement follows the same script.

Where are you seeing it improves strength? It's an amphetamine. It may have been in one of his supplements and given him more energy to work out but it's not anabolic in any sense of its own.

This is a 19 yo kid. He's not an Olympic athlete that peruses every ingredient that goes into his body. He probably eats McDonald's five days a week.

His statement was most likely written for him by his agent and looked over by the Red Sox before he read it. I'm as cynical as the next guy, but let's pump the brakes a bit here.

 

[nighthob]

Ephedrine isn't much of a performance enhancer, unless you think of coffee as one. Ephedrine certainly doesn't have much impact on strength unless you're in the weight room lifting.

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

The link in E5 Yaz's post states, "Oxilofrine is a stimulant of the amphetamine class that is intended to treat low blood pressure, but side effects can include increased adrenaline production, improved endurance, focus and heart rate. It also aids the body to oxygenate blood."
 
Admittedly, I know nothing about this.  I spent a little time goggling information on the effects of "adrenaline production."  I found that "adrenaline production" is tied to muscle performance according to many internet sites.  For example, one link said:
 

adrenaline's effect on muscles accounts for amazing strength. Adrenaline acts on muscles, allowing them to contract more than they can when the body is in a calm or neutral state.When adrenaline is released by the adrenal medulla -- an interior region of the adrenal glands, which are located just above your kidneys -- it allows blood to flow more easily to your muscles. This means that more oxygen is carried to your muscles by the extra blood, which allows your muscles to function at elevated levels.
 
 

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/circus-arts/adrenaline-strength1.htm
 
Doesn't MLB have shorter penalties for energy drugs, whereas drugs that increase muscle performance are given a longer penalty?  If that is the case, MLB has determined that Oxliofrine is related to muscle performance.
 
I would like to know how easy it is to remove Oxilofrine from your system.  Players might be using this, instead of a hard core steroid, because the latter might be harder to remove and thus more likely to be detected.
 
Again, all of my statements are made from the standpoint of an amateur.  I don't have the training to know very much about these drugs.

 

[crystalline]

Stimulants do affect performance for a few hours after taking them. That's why lifters and distance runners alike drink coffee.

Stimulants don't have long term muscle-building (anabolic) effects, as steroids do.

 

[nighthob]

Yeah, ephedrine and its variants are just extra strong coffee, and any stimulant, including coffee, will boost adrenal production.

 

[ehaz]

The link in E5 Yaz's post states, "Oxilofrine is a stimulant of the amphetamine class that is intended to treat low blood pressure, but side effects can include increased adrenaline production, improved endurance, focus and heart rate. It also aids the body to oxygenate blood."
 
Admittedly, I know nothing about this.  I spent a little time goggling information on the effects of "adrenaline production."  I found that "adrenaline production" is tied to muscle performance according to many internet sites.  For example, one link said:
 
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/circus-arts/adrenaline-strength1.htm
 
Doesn't MLB have shorter penalties for energy drugs, whereas drugs that increase muscle performance are given a longer penalty?  If that is the case, MLB has determined that Oxliofrine is related to muscle performance.
 
I would like to know how easy it is to remove Oxilofrine from your system.  Players might be using this, instead of a hard core steroid, because the latter might be harder to remove and thus more likely to be detected.
 
Again, all of my statements are made from the standpoint of an amateur.  I don't have the training to know very much about these drugs.

 
Yes, when Chris Davis was suspended last season for adderall, it was for 25 games not 50.  Maybe it is different for the minors.

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

I'm looking at 2015 minor league drug suspensions, which hasn't been updated to include Kopech:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-drug-suspensions-2015/
 
Some players received 25 game suspensions, 50 game suspensions, and 80 game suspensions (the majority received 50 or 80).  I would think that 80 game suspensions are handed out when hard core steroids are involved, which is not the case here.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

The drug policies of the major and minor leagues are not 100% duplicative,me either in the drugs tested for, nor the suspensions laid down. For instance, players on the 40 man roster are subject to the ML policy and thus are not subjected to tests for marijuana - just last year there was an unnamed minor leaguer that got busted for pot and was quoted as saying "I'll just smoke my way to the 40 man".

Here is the list of banned substances https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_substances_in_baseball. You will notice oxilophrine listed under the stimulants section, which is where the two drugs that make up Adderall are also listed.

You can then look at the lists of minor league suspensions the last two years here http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-drug-suspensions-2015/ and here http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-drug-suspensions-2014/. You will notice that the stimulant suspensions in the minor leagues are always 50 games, not 25 like Davis got. It is considered nothing more than a greenie.

Anything anabolic, hence muscle building, is listed under steroids. You'll notice on the minor league lists that steroid suspensions are at least 72 games if not more.

Oxilophrine is not, in any way shape or form, an end around on steroid use nor should it be looked at as an attempt to build muscle mass any more than Red Bull should.

Edit: we were typing at the same time. The 25 game ones you see are drugs of abuse, first offense, which is why they are not disclosed.

 

[nighthob]

The drug policies of the major and minor leagues are not 100% duplicative,me either in the drugs tested for, nor the suspensions laid down. For instance, players on the 40 man roster are subject to the ML policy and thus are not subjected to tests for marijuana - just last year there was an unnamed minor leaguer that got busted for pot and was quoted as saying "I'll just smoke my way to the 40 man".

Here is the list of banned substances https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_substances_in_baseball. You will notice oxilophrine listed under the stimulants section, which is where the two drugs that make up Adderall are also listed.

You can then look at the lists of minor league suspensions the last two years here http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-drug-suspensions-2015/ and here http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-drug-suspensions-2014/. You will notice that the stimulant suspensions in the minor leagues are always 50 games, not 25 like Davis got. It is considered nothing more than a greenie.

Anything anabolic, hence muscle building, is listed under steroids. You'll notice on the minor league lists that steroid suspensions are at least 72 games if not more.

Oxilophrine is not, in any way shape or form, an end around on steroid use nor should it be looked at as an attempt to build muscle mass any more than Red Bull should.

Hey, hey, hey, buddy. We'll have none of that commie logic here.

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

Based on a quick (super-quick) overview of the MLB's drug prevention program (you can find it here, http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/jda.pdf), a MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER caught using Oxilofrine would receive a 25-game suspension (if caught a second time).  And so the penalty for Oxilofrine isn't very harsh at the major league level.

 

[chrisfont9]

Interesting that he claimed full ignorance in his statement. As others have mentioned, it would be easy enough to say that he took a supplement that he was unaware contained it. To fully deny wrong-doing seems odd to me as an outside observer.

Well not to be overly pollyannish but as a cycling fan I've heard a lot of denials, and this one sounds a bit more convincing. Which is not to say I'm convinced. It's just very specific and forthright-seeming. He cites the standard for supplements which makes him sound like a non-idiot. Maybe this is from his attorney, but anyway I'll still reserve judgment for now.

 

[Rasputin]

Interesting that he claimed full ignorance in his statement. As others have mentioned, it would be easy enough to say that he took a supplement that he was unaware contained it. To fully deny wrong-doing seems odd to me as an outside observer.

It really shouldn't. Supplements aren't regulated by the FDA and depending on what you by and where they're from, there's no guarantee that what's on the ingredient list is actually in the bottle.

 

[Fred not Lynn]

This is a 19 yo kid. He's not an Olympic athlete that peruses every ingredient that goes into his body. He probably eats McDonald's five days a week.

He is a professional athlete, and as responsible for monitoring what goes into his body as any athlete in any other sport.

And if he is eating McDonald's five days a week, the Boston Red Sox player development system is doing poorly at their job.

 

[Bigpupp]

He is a professional athlete, and as responsible for monitoring what goes into his body as any athlete in any other sport.

And if he is eating McDonald's five days a week, the Boston Red Sox player development system is doing poorly at their job.

Its been a few years since I've read anything about this, but last I heard there isn't a single organization in baseball that is doing a good job of making sure their athletes in the minors are eating in a way that will benefit them long term. While it may not literally be McDonald's 5 days a week, it's not far off that.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

He is a professional athlete, and as responsible for monitoring what goes into his body as any athlete in any other sport.

And if he is eating McDonald's five days a week, the Boston Red Sox player development system is doing poorly at their job.

 
To your first point, the quote you clipped from me was in direct response to someone making an accusation that he did this intentionally in an effort to put on muscle mass and then lied about his knowledge of it, in some kind of veiled comparison to the storied steroid deniers of our recent past. My simple point was that he;s a 19 year old kid. Should he be careful about what he puts into his body, of course. But expecting every single minor league ballplayer to be as careful as an Olympic athlete or a major leaguer or even someone with more age/experience/maturity under his belt is a fool's errand. They're kids. Which is to say nothing of the point that Ras makes, that these supplements aren't regulated and there's no guarantee that what you read on the bottle is what's in the bottle. He could have bought a bottle of something that listed nothing on the banned substance list and still popped for a stimulant.  My point was simply that I think a 19 yo kid should get the benefit of the doubt. Him testing positive is not necessarily nefarious. Were it steroids, sure, cast a stink eye on him. But I think it's going overboard in this case and it's better suited as a lesson learned the hard way. 
 
As to the second, we had a long discussion about  the state of minor league ballplayers, their living conditions, diets, wages, etc, here  http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/81860-are-minor-leaguers-exploited-bleacherreport-argues-so/.  You may be surprised to find out that they don't make enough money to eat as they should and big league teams, both Red Sox and all others, don't provide them with dietary outlets to eat as they should. So yes, they are mostly eating crap. 

 

[Fred not Lynn]

...My simple point was that he;s a 19 year old kid. Should he be careful about what he puts into his body, of course. But expecting every single minor league ballplayer to be as careful as an Olympic athlete or a major leaguer or even someone with more age/experience/maturity under his belt...  
 
...As to the second, we had a long discussion about  the state of minor league ballplayers, their living conditions, diets, wages, etc, here  http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/81860-are-minor-leaguers-exploited-bleacherreport-argues-so/.  You may be surprised to find out that they don't make enough money to eat as they should and big league teams, both Red Sox and all others, don't provide them with dietary outlets to eat as they should. So yes, they are mostly eating crap. 

Most Olympic athletes are pretty unsophisticated late teen to late 20 year-olds who are surrounded by much less of a support and education system than a minor league baseball player. If a minor league ballplayer were to complain to an Olympic athlete about the long bus rides, the Olympic athlete's reply would be, "wow, that's awesome, you have a Bus? I wish we had a bus..."

I guess what I am saying in that in a sport where there's an actual industry and guys make actual meager livings playing the game, they need to be as completely accountable for making sure they are ready for the drug testing that they have been informed about, and that they are aware of what's being tested for. Being 19 years old ceased to be an excuse the day your signing bonus check cleared. When you're a professional, you need to accept the accompanying responsibilities.

And no, I am NOT surprised to know of the poor support system put in place for minor leaguers. I am shocked, knowing how much has already been invested in these players in the form of signing bonuses that they aren't fed and housed better, especially considering the relatively nominal cost of upgrading those things.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Most Olympic athletes are pretty unsophisticated late teen to late 20 year-olds who are surrounded by much less of a support and education system than a minor league baseball player. If a minor league ballplayer were to complain to an Olympic athlete about the long bus rides, the Olympic athlete's reply would be, "wow, that's awesome, you have a Bus? I wish we had a bus..."

I guess what I am saying in that in a sport where there's an actual industry and guys make actual meager livings playing the game, they need to be as completely accountable for making sure they are ready for the drug testing that they have been informed about, and that they are aware of what's being tested for. Being 19 years old ceased to be an excuse the day your signing bonus check cleared. When you're a professional, you need to accept the accompanying responsibilities.

And no, I am NOT surprised to know of the poor support system put in place for minor leaguers. I am shocked, knowing how much has already been invested in these players in the form of signing bonuses that they aren't fed and housed better, especially considering the relatively nominal cost of upgrading those things.

And there also should be world peace and my dad walked uphill in the snow barefoot both ways to school. What's your point?

If you want to string the kid up by his thumbs knock yourself out. As stated by myself and another poster, he could have been extremely careful about what he's putting in his body but unless he's got a team of lab rats testing it, he might still get fucked since supplements aren't regulated by the FDA and who knows what is really in them. It may just be me, but if a 19 yo kid walks into GNC and picks up a bottle of something, he's probably going to assume that what's on the label is what's in the bottle. Im willing to give him a break on that one and chalk it up to lesson learned.

You can continue to parse my arguments all you like, but my simple point is I don't think we need to label this kid a cheat. He put something into his body that ended up getting him into trouble.

Did he do it knowingly? Did he do it carelessly? Did he do it unwittingly? Who the hell knows? But he wasn't exactly jamming a needle of stanozolol in his ass, so maybe we should put down the pitchforks, huh? I'll take this over someone like Jon Denney any day of the week.

 

[MuzzyField]

These guys get better food in high school. MiLB players have been and continue to eat crap. Not just fast food, but leftovers from the concession stand. Yum!

 

[jscola85]

Sucks this happens, because Kopech needed the innings to stretch his arm out.  I am sure the Sox wanted to get him up or near 100 innings this year.  Now this means next season they're unlikely to be able to push him far past 120 innings, as it seems like a bad idea to more than double a young guy's workload in a single season.

 

[Vegas Sox Fan]

Sucks this happens, because Kopech needed the innings to stretch his arm out.  I am sure the Sox wanted to get him up or near 100 innings this year.  Now this means next season they're unlikely to be able to push him far past 120 innings, as it seems like a bad idea to more than double a young guy's workload in a single season.

 
How do MiLB suspensions work? I noticed that when Santana was suspended he was allowed to pitch in minor league games to get his conditioning up. Can suspended minor leaguers pitch in simulated games at team facilities? Or is there no contact with the organization allowed at all?

 

[Fred not Lynn]

You can continue to parse my arguments all you like, but my simple point is I don't think we need to label this kid a cheat. He put something into his body that ended up getting him into trouble.

I haven't labeled him a "cheat", nor would I label him clean. I am just saying that as a professional athlete in a sport with a clearly communicated and properly enforced anti-doping policy, he has a responsibility to know what goes in his body, and will be held accountable if he fails at that. 50 Games is being held accountable - the system is working as intended.

Cross contamination from sloppy supplement manufacturers is a legitimate issue, and there's generally an appeals process in place if you want to pursue that defense. I am a little surprised this player isn't doing that.

 

[finnVT]

Cross contamination from sloppy supplement manufacturers is a legitimate issue, and there's generally an appeals process in place if you want to pursue that defense. I am a little surprised this player isn't doing that.

I think his quote made clear that he is appealing, but didn't think it was likely he would win.

 

[Fred not Lynn]

I think his quote made clear that he is appealing, but didn't think it was likely he would win.

I missed that sentence...let's see how the appeal turns out.

 

[RoDaddy]

Sucks this happens, because Kopech needed the innings to stretch his arm out.  I am sure the Sox wanted to get him up or near 100 innings this year.  Now this means next season they're unlikely to be able to push him far past 120 innings, as it seems like a bad idea to more than double a young guy's workload in a single season.

Couldn't the Sox add him to their AFL roster this fall to get more work in? He'd be very young for that group but still seemingly eligible

 

[Rasputin]

Its been a few years since I've read anything about this, but last I heard there isn't a single organization in baseball that is doing a good job of making sure their athletes in the minors are eating in a way that will benefit them long term. While it may not literally be McDonald's 5 days a week, it's not far off that.

 
This has bugged me for years. I would think that hiring some nutritionists and chefs to provide meals for minor leaguers would be a relatively inexpensive way to get a competitive advantage over other organizations. I assume all minor leaguers are on weight programs, why not put them on the right diet, too?