Billy Rowell Suspended 50 Games For Drug Violation

[ofahn]

May 14, 2012 4:38 PM by Roch Kubatko

Former Orioles first-round pick Billy Rowell has received a 50-game suspension after a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse.

Rowell, who is currently on the roster of short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York-Penn League, will be effective on June 18th.

The Orioles were attempting to convert Rowell into a pitcher at extended spring training after drafting him as a third baseman in 2006. Rowell was the ninth-overall pick, taken one spot ahead of pitcher Tim Lincecum.

Rowell batted. 227 with 11 RBIs in 41 games at Double-A Bowie last summer after spending the three previous seasons at Single-A Frederick.

Rowell is the third Orioles minor leaguer since spring training to be suspended 50 games for a drug of abuse, joining catchers Brian Ward and Michael Olhman.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roc ... ation.html

[ofahn]

IMO it's time we cut ties with this train wreck.

[Shorebirdfan]

IMO it's time we cut ties with this train wreck.

Couldn't have said it better. Enough is enough already. I know that Ward and Ohlman are both in the same position (as far as the suspension) but Ward has sown potential and Ohlman is still young. It's been almost 6 years since Billy was drafted. Let's move on.

[TuckerBlair89]

It's just one after another this year.

It's also just one after another for Rowell. It seems that he will simply never get by his troubles.

[Old Sneakers]

Wow! This guy really has nothing going for him.

[osforlife]

He clearly doesn't want to become a major leaguer. The organization has given him chance after chance and he has failed. Release him please.

[bird's fan]

There is always someone that will try to beat the system. This guy hasn't shown anyone that he wants to be in MLB and this is another example his failures. The other two are the same way but the O's have so much invested , in all three, that it's hard say good bye to bad money spent. They've already had one bite of the apple and now they are just an embarrassment to the organization. Release them and draft players with integrity and morales.