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Schafer Suspended for HGH Use
Written by Colin on April 8, 2008 – 10:59 pmThe Braves’ star prospect Jordan Schafer, who had a decent spring, was suspended for 50 games after it was revealed he violated the league’s substance abuse policy. Apparently Schafer tested positive for HGH, not something good to see from a young player who is supposedly the future face of the franchise.
Everywhere you read about this guy and his supposed maturity, but I’m not sold on him yet. Just because you can play ball (apparently with the help of HGH) doesn’t mean you have the composure and maturity you need to be a major league player and the potential face of the franchise. You can’t convince me he’s ready for the big league level for at least a year or two.
As for his placeholder, Mark Kotsay, the guy has been great so far. Solid hitter, great arm, and he does his best to cover ground. Heck, we haven’t even had to add a single point to our “Andruw would have gotten that” counter.
Schafer is going to need to come back from this suspension with some sincere remorse and work hard to make up for this significant shortcoming. Not only does it cast doubt on his strong spring, but it shows character flaws and immaturity. I think Schafer has bought into the hype surrounding his rising star career way too much – and has passed way over the line between confident and cocky. One has to be worried about seeing someone like Schafer go down this path. The truly good players – character wise – are the Jeff Francoeurs and Brian McCanns. They keep their mouths shut and play baseball – don’t dig into anything suspect or suspicious, and let their numbers back up the hype surrounding their careers.
Schafer has a long way to go – good thing we have those extra outfielders now, isn’t it? Josh Anderson next season, anyone?
Tags: HGH, Jordan Schafer, Josh Anderson, Mark Kotsay
Posted in General | 15 Comments »
By Jonathan on Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
I’m looking forward to Kotsay all season. I think we’ll figure out center field in the offseason.
And the counter stands at one….the graphic isn’t updated however.
By Shaun on Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
The last obnoxiously cocky young center fielder we had was Andruw. Judging from the folks named in the Mitchell report, I also don’t think HGH use is particularly related to anyone’s maturity.
I’m loving Kotsay so far this year. I think you should replace the Andruw Would Have Gotten That counter with an Andruw Never Could Have Made THAT Throw counter. Please set it to about 3.
By Colin on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Shaun –
There’s a big difference in doping when everyone is getting away with it, and doping after everyone has been caught. Thinking that you somehow can get away with it shows a lack of maturity.
By Josh on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I have the counter at one. The mets game where it fell between Kotsay and Jeff. We have to get sopmething going tonight!
Go Braves
By Jonathan on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Yep, that’s the one, Josh. I’ll try to get the graphic updated today.
By Rue Grant on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
… or you could look at the scorecard where the hit has a star next to it with “andruw” written there too. geez guys.
all personal things aside, honestly after reading that he’s giving samples very willingly and countless times, was aware of the investigation, etc., i really feel badly for him. i’m not sure what i think, and part of me thinks that there is a lot more to this story. i just wish i could get it… he changed his phone number today. so i guess that’s out.
By Colin on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, after reading more of the articles that came out today, it does appear that he may have been shafted. His Dad spoke out very strongly that Jordan wants to tell his side of the story, but that his lawyers advise against it.
I’d be interested in hearing what he has to say. If he does have a side to the story that clears him, I’ll feel really bad about coming down hard on him. A person should always have the opportunity to clear themselves and have another start.
By Jonathan on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I think he’ll come through this alright in the end. And I also think it’ll help save a number of other aspiring minor leaguers/college players/high schoolers from thinking it’s the right thing to do (not all of them, people will always try). I think it’s better to happen to him now than after he was playing with the Braves for a couple of years.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'm looking forward to Kotsay all season. I think we'll figure out center field in the offseason.
And the counter stands at one….the graphic isn't updated however.
By Shaun on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
The last obnoxiously cocky young center fielder we had was Andruw. Judging from the folks named in the Mitchell report, I also don't think HGH use is particularly related to anyone's maturity.
I'm loving Kotsay so far this year. I think you should replace the Andruw Would Have Gotten That counter with an Andruw Never Could Have Made THAT Throw counter. Please set it to about 3.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Shaun –
There's a big difference in doping when everyone is getting away with it, and doping after everyone has been caught. Thinking that you somehow can get away with it shows a lack of maturity.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Yep, that's the one, Josh. I'll try to get the graphic updated today.
By Rue Grant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
… or you could look at the scorecard where the hit has a star next to it with "andruw" written there too. geez guys.
all personal things aside, honestly after reading that he's giving samples very willingly and countless times, was aware of the investigation, etc., i really feel badly for him. i'm not sure what i think, and part of me thinks that there is a lot more to this story. i just wish i could get it… he changed his phone number today. so i guess that's out.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Yeah, after reading more of the articles that came out today, it does appear that he may have been shafted. His Dad spoke out very strongly that Jordan wants to tell his side of the story, but that his lawyers advise against it.
I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say. If he does have a side to the story that clears him, I'll feel really bad about coming down hard on him. A person should always have the opportunity to clear themselves and have another start.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I think he'll come through this alright in the end. And I also think it'll help save a number of other aspiring minor leaguers/college players/high schoolers from thinking it's the right thing to do (not all of them, people will always try). I think it's better to happen to him now than after he was playing with the Braves for a couple of years.