Cardinals Minor Leaguer Suspended 50 Games for 2nd Violation of Drug Policy
By Michael Luciano
A young arm in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system has once again failed a drug test and has been handed a serious suspension.
Perry DellaValle, who was selected in the 27th round in the 2018 MLB draft, has been suspended 50 games after failing a test for a "drug of abuse". DellaValle had been pitching with St. Louis' Class-A Advanced affiliate in Palm Beach. This was his second positive test for a drug of abuse.
#cardinals had a minor-League pitcher today suspended 50 games for a second violation with a drug of abuse. #stlcards #MLB pic.twitter.com/1zDfMgYLm9
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 26, 2019
DellaValle 5-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 games, 19 of which were starts, for the Palm Beach affiliate.
With a mid-90s fastball and a sharp changeup, DellaValle was making waves in the Cardinals' system, tossing 5.2 shutout innings just a few weeks ago.
Sunday's 12 run, 18-hit win was Luken Baker approved.
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) July 8, 2019
Andres Luna: 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Imeldo Diaz: 4-5, RBI
Juan Yepez: 2-6, RBI
Nick Dunn: 1-3, 3B, 2 BB
Perry DellaValle: 5.2 IP 0 ER 2 H 5 K pic.twitter.com/PLHStFC6un
With DellaValle not in the Cardinals' Top 30 prospects, the organization does not regard him as a foundational long-term piece. This incident, which is the second such incident this year, has put his chances of pitching in Busch Stadium in serious jeopardy.