Sean Ochinko Received 50-Game Amphetamine Ban

Mar 13, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays base runner Sean Ochinko slides home past Pittsburgh Pirates catcher James McDonald during the top of the sixth inning of a spring training game at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Another year, another Toronto Blue Jays prospect received a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. This time, catcher Sean Ochinko received a 50-game suspension after testing positive for amphetamines.

The suspension was announced through an official press release from the team.

Ochinko is the third Blue Jays minor leaguer to get nabbed by Minor League Baseball’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in the last two seasons. Last summer, pitcher Marcus Stroman received a 50-game ban after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine. In January, pitcher Alan Farina was handed his second suspension after testing positive for a drug of abuse.

Ochinko was an 11th round selection of the Blue Jays from the 2009 draft. He started the season in Double-A New Hampshire, where he hit .243 with 2 home runs and 20 RBI. Despite his struggles, he received a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo when Josh Thole was called-up to Toronto. He has hit just .220 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI for the Bisons.

In 460 career Minor League games, Ochinko is a career .278 hitter with a lifetime OPS of .776.

The suspension will cost Ochinko the last 9 games of the regular season for the Bisons, plus any postseason play. He will serve the remainder of his suspension during the 2014 season.