In the Army now

Two Pirates prospects are leaving the organization and it has nothing to do with the trade deadline.

Outfielder Cole White and catcher Chris Simmons, two players drafted last month out of the United State Military Academy at West Point who are currently playing with State College, have been ordered by the government to report to duty to fulfill their military commitments.

The U.S. Army revised the U.S. Department of Defense Alternative Service Option earlier this month and said that soldiers must give two years of military service before applying for release to pursue professional sports careers.

“The Department of Defense changed their approach on this and since they’re the government they can do that,” said Pirates Director of Player Development Kyle Stark. “Both guys are reporting within the next week.”

White, drafted in the 42nd round, was the Spikes’ best hitter this season. In 19 games he batted .366 with a home run and nine RBI. Simmons, selected in the 41st round, batted .258 with no home runs and four RBI in eight games.

The change in military policy made national headlines when Caleb Campbell, a seventh round pick of the Detroit Lions, had to report back to duty the day before training camp started.

Both players will leave by the end of the weekend. Stark isn’t sure when the players will return.

“We’re still trying to get our hands around how the change in philosophy is going to impact what we have with these guys,” Stark said.

Two minor-leaguers suspended
Major League Baseball suspended two Pirates minor-leaguers for 50 games Friday after each tested positive for steroids.
Pitchers Roman Carrasco and Luis Figuera were suspended from their Venezuelan Summer League team. Carrasco, a 20-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, was 7-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 12 games. Figuera, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher who has started four of the 14 games he’s pitched, is 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA.
“There’s been a tendency for some confusion with the Latin American players and we need to do a better job to educate and ensure that guys know what they are putting in their bodies,” Stark said.