According to a report from Keith Law, Jonathan Gray tested positive for the banned stimulant Adderall during the league’s mandatory drug testing of the top 200 prospects in each draft class.
The report explained that Adderall “is best known as a drug to treat ADHD” and is used by current big leaguers after they have been given a therapeutic use exemption (TUEs) from the league. Jon Heyman reported it is estimated that around 100 players have a TUE. But the drug is an amphetamine that has been banned from baseball since 2005 and considered illegal without a medical exemption.
Keith Law reported that the positive test “is unlikely to significantly affect his draft stock.” All 30 big league teams have been made aware of Gray’s positive test.
The Cubs are thought to be very interested in selecting Jonathan Gray with the second pick in Thursday’s draft. Gray, along with RHP Mark Appel and third baseman Kris Bryant are believed to be high on the Cubs board. Many feel the Cubs will select either Appel or Gray, depending on which one is left on the board after Houston makes the first pick in the draft.
Keith Law thinks that Gray’s positive test could have a few “ripple effects.” Law explained that Houston could end up taking Gray first overall if the Astros believe that the drug had no effect on his performance and they could actually end up signing him for less than before the positive test result was announced then use the extra slot money to use on draft picks later in the draft. Houston’s need to save a little money with the first overall pick is one of the reasons they had been tied to third baseman Colin Moran in recent days.
One of Law’s sources indicated that scenario is a possibility but it is possible that the positive test will hurt his draft status and other projected top 10 picks could look better by comparison if teams feel the drug aided in his performance.
According to Jon Heyman, Gray did not have a prescription for Adderall.
Major League Baseball players are not suspended for their first positive test for amphetamines and there’s not a penalty for a failed test for a draft-eligible player. Major League players that test positive a second time are suspended 25 games for what is considered their first offense.
Jon Heyman referenced Law’s report stating that Gray could be subject to “follow-up testing when his professional career begins.”
One executive told Jon Heyman that he did not think the positive test is a big deal and would not affect his draft status.
In Keith Law’s latest mock draft, he has the Cubs taking Mark Appel but it could easily be Jonathan Gray or Kris Bryant.