Tuesday afternoon, news broke on social media that Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher, Richie Tate has been suspended by Major League Baseball for drug abuse. This is not the first time Tate has been suspended for this issue, it’s actually his third time testing positive.
For your third offense, the MLB hammers down on you…and they rightfully should. Tate will be suspended 100-games without pay.
The 23-year-old is currently with the Carolina Mudcats, the Braves Single-A+ affiliate. In 2015, while pitching with the Mudcats, he posted a 3-1 record with a 2.50 ERA in his 28 games he appeared in. He also posted four saves. He is definitely a back end of the bullpen type of guy. He’s had 14 saves in his five-year professional career.
Tate received a 50-game suspension on February 20, 2015 because he tested positive for the second time.
He pitched in the Gulf Coast League in 2010, he missed the entire 2011 season because of an injury and returned to Gulf Coast in 2012. He reached Class A Rome in 2013 and stayed there for 2014 where he went 5-5 with a 3.68 ERA in 66 innings over 45 outings, striking out 52 hitters and totaled 36 walked batters.
Tate stands 6’6″ and weighs 225 pounds. He was drafted out of high school by the Braves in 2010 in the 14th round. He went to Marked Tree High School in Arkansas. He’s appeared in 83 games since the Braves selected him in the 2010 Draft.
#Braves Single-A Carolina RHP Richie Tate has received a 100-game suspension following a third positive test for a "drug of abuse."
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 16, 2016
Though Tate isn’t considered a major prospect for the Braves, he still could be a major contributor.
Substances considered “drugs of abuse” by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates. Minor Leaguers who test positive for a performance-enhancing substance are subject to immediate suspension.
It’s unknown yet which drug spiked the meters for Tate, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t PEDs. Hopefully Tate can put baseball aside and get the help he needs.