Dodgers’ OF prospect Andrew Lambo has been suspended 50 games, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times. Lambo recently tested positive for a “drug of abuse”, according to the report. No further details at this time.

STATEMENT FROM THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS:

LOS ANGELES – Below is the Dodger organization’s response to the 50-game suspension of minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo for testing positive for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

“The Dodgers are disappointed to learn of this news and we fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties. The organization does not condone the use of any substance not sanctioned by MLB’s medical staff.”

From Tony Jackson:

Andrew Lambo, the Dodgers’ fourth-round selection in the 2007 amateur draft and one of the organization’s top outfield prospects, was suspended for 50 games on Saturday because of a second positive test for a banned drug under baseball’s Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The news release from Major League Baseball announcing the suspension didn’t specify what the drug was, but there were strong indications it was marijuana, a drug that has caused Lambo troubles in the past.

The release did specify Lambo tested positive for a “drug of abuse” as opposed to a performance-enhancing substance. Marijuana is one of several drugs of abuse — the list also includes cocaine, LSD and heroin — on baseball’s banned substance list.

Lawrence Delevingne, a writer at  The Business Insider, sent me this link to his article The Nastiest Billionaire Divorce Ever: Jamie And Frank McCourt.  It deals with the facts and not the rampant speculation that some of you state as facts.  It’s a worthwhile read, if you want to know all the players in this process.

Dodger Stuff:

• Flash!  No Manny next year.  Who knew?  From Dylan Hernandez at THE LA TIMES  Manny is very adept at stating the obvious.
• Tony Jackson of ESPN/LosAngeles weighes in with more about Manny being Manny
• Andrew Lambo profiled

My 2 Cents:

• Jamie Carroll will be a utilityman this year – DeWitt or DeBelli will start.
• It’s possible that the Dodgers may carry only 4 outfielders as Carroll and Blake can both play OF.
• Most of the players on the 40-man roster are in camp.  That’s a good sign.

I had a cheesy grin on my face as I read the Top 200 Prospect list put out by True Blue LA.  The Dodgers do not have 200 Prospects.  They have about 20 PROSPECTS and 180 SUSPECTS!  However, the Dodgers Organization is not nearly as bereft of prospects as some think.  We don’t have a bunch that are major-league ready, but DeJesus, Lindblom, Elbert, Haeger, Schlichting and Leach are all close to ready and while I don’t see any as “superstars” I believe that some of them will be very good players.  However, we are in a position where we don’t need a bunch of young players RIGHT NOW.

Behind the players mentioned above are Gordon, Lambo, Robinson, Van Slyke, Russell, Withrow, Adkins, Martin, Eovaldi, May, Mitchell, Baez, Jansen, Delmonico, Gallagher, Miller and Guerra.  Some of those guys will be complete “busts” and others who are not on the radar will step up.   Additionally, last years draft has yielded some very good prospects. 

All-in-all, we have 4 or 5 young players who could make the team this year and the second wave is another year or two away.  We don’t have the Jacksonville Five, but in 2011 you could see the Lambo Leap! Read the full story

The Top 10 - In No Particular Order

I have no clue where this “Debacle in the Ravine will take us, but I’d say Jamie does not have the upper hand.   No, I’m not going to speculate on who we will sign and who we won’t or who we should trade.  Today, I just want to do some “farming.”  Let’s take a look at the Dodgers top prospects. Read the full story

The Southern League All-Star Game was held at Regions Park in Birmingham, Alabama on Monday and  two of the Top Dodger Prospects were the stars of the game.  Starting 3B Josh Bell was 2-5 with a home-run and was named the MVP of the All-Star Game.  Starting LF Andrew Lambowas 3-4 in the game.  Bell had knee surgery and missed most of last season, but has established himself as a top prospect again.  He is 22 years old, 6′ 3″, 225 lbs.  and is a switch-hiter.  This is his first year at AA and he is OPSing .827.  He is a definite TOP 10 prospect for the Dodgers.  Andrew Lambo is just 20 and has a sweet LH  swing as well as a Gold Glove at 1B, but is learning to play LF.  Both Lambo and Bell could see time on the big club by September of 2010  with arrival sometime in 2011.  Read the full story

The Blue  Jays have hung a FOR SALE sign on Roy Halliday, and Dodger fans are clamoring for a trade to be made.  Let me suggest that it’s not that simple, and the price we would have to pay would be the blood of our first-born, Clayton Kershaw!  I will say right off that I would love to have Roy Halliday, but I would NEVER give up Kershaw to get him.  I’d give up a lot, but not Clayton.  Trade discussions would have to start with other prospects.  While Clayton still struggles with too many pitches, he is growing better every start.  Last night, he pitched 6 shutout innings on the road (where he has usually struggled this year).  I watched the New York feed and the Mets announcers were Ga-Ga over young Clayton.  Ron Darling thinks that, as soon as next season, Clayton Kershaw will be mentioned among the Santanas, Hallidays and Billingsleys.  Clayton now has a 3.27 ERA… and dropping.  So, I am saying  NO to trading Clayton Kershaw.  Read the full story