Josh Sale suspended for testing positive for a drug of abuse

Rays minor leaguer and former first-round pick Josh Sale has once again been suspended for testing positive for a "drug of abuse," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

#Rays minor-leaguer Josh Sale suspended again - 50 games by MLB for 2nd positive test for drug of abuse

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 12, 2014

This is the second time he's been suspended. The first time was for a positive test of methamphetamine and an amphetamine, and the second time was for "conduct detrimental to the organization." To clarify the euphemism, that means being thrown out of a strip club for throwing coins at a stripper and then bragging about it on Facebook.

At this point, Sale had already stopped being much of a prospect. As Scott wrote last August, Sale has missed a ton of time due to his suspensions, and that put him far behind the eight-ball in terms of development compared to his fellow prospects. In 361 appearances for high-A Charlotte this season, Sale has struck out over 30% of the time while hitting for very little power. The young man about whom Baseball America once said "Sale has raw power that approaches the top of the scouting scale," had already become little more than a lottery ticket, and you have to think that this latest setback is probably the final nail in the already mostly shut coffin.

It's hard to be a professional baseball player. For every talented kid who works hard, gets lucky, and makes it, there are others who don't. The Rays organization will be okay without Sale, but one has to wonder how he'll fair if he manages to burn through all of his chances at playing baseball.  Hopefully he can get help and can put himself in order.

#Rays Maddon on suspended Sale: "Nobody to blame but himself at this point."

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 12, 2014