ANAHEIM, Calif. — Reports of 19-year-old prospect Michael Kopech throwing 100 mph with Single-A Greenville might’ve opened some eyes, as did his 70 strikeouts in 65 innings this season.
But it was announced yesterday that Kopech, one of the Red Sox’ best young starters after being drafted 33rd overall in 2014 out of Mount Pleasant (Texas) High School, was cheating.
Kopech received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Oxilofrine, a stimulant in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.
The drug is considered to boost endurance, focus and alertness, and is the same drug for which world class sprinters Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell reportedly tested positive.