Chicago's Negron suspended 50 games

NEW YORK -- Former first-round pick and two-time Southern League All-Star Miguel Negron was one of three Minor Leaguers suspended for drug usage on Friday.

Negron, who hit .279 in 103 games with Triple-A Charlotte last season, was suspended 50 games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse. The 27-year-old, who was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training with the White Sox in 2008, was not suspended after his initial positive drug of abuse test as per Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program rules. He is currently playing for Lobos de Arecibo in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

The Chicago outfielder, originally drafted in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000, hit four homers and knocked in 38 runs for the Knights in 2009. He was traded to the White Sox from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for future considerations on March 23, 2007.

Negron, who ranked second in the White Sox system in hits in 2008, earned Southern League All-Star honors that year when he batted .299 with seven homers, 57 RBIs and 25 steals for Double-A Birmingham. He was also an All-Star in 2006.

The Caguas, Puerto Rico native is batting .313 with a home run and 10 RBIs for Arecibo.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball also suspended a pair of Dominican Summer League players for 50 games each -- Rony Bautista of the New York Yankees organization was suspended after testing positive for boldenone, and fellow pitcher Roberto Toribio of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization was given a similar ban after testing positive for stanozolol.

All three suspensions will begin at the start of the 2010 season.