Former Asheville Tourist player gets busted for being juiced

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Modesto Bee story here:

Modesto Nuts reserve outfielder Kevin Clark has been suspended for 50 games after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

The Associated Press reported that Clark tested positive for an amphetamine. He’s believed to be the first Modesto player ever to be suspended in-season for a banned substance.

The commissioner’s office announced the suspension on Friday, though there was a reference to the issue during the Nuts’ radio broadcast Thursday night.

As part of the mandatory drug testing program that has been in place since 2001, all minor league players are tested during spring training and also are subject to unannounced random tests during the season.

Kevin Clark — 2009 Modesto Nuts

Clark, 23, was batting .241 with no home runs and four RBIs in 12 games with a slugging percentage of .345. Clark delivered several important hits, however, along the way.

Clark’s suspension shines a light on baseball’s tighter control regarding banned substances in the minors.

Clark was acquired by the Rockies in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. A native of Tampa and a resident of Seffner, Fla., he batted .262 with 17 home runs and 76 RBIs last season for Asheville (N.C.), the Rockies’ Low-A affiliate.