Brian Ruiz batting.jpg

Indians farmhand Brian Ruiz has been suspended by MLB for 80 games following a positive test for PEDs. The suspension will begin at the start of the 2015 season. (Tim Phillis / TCP Photography)

(Tim Phillis / TCP Photography)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's been a tough winter for Indians minor leaguers.

Outfielder Brian Ruiz, former Senate MVP at Lincoln West High School, is the second minor leaguer employed by the Tribe to run afoul of MLB's drug policy this offseason. Ruiz was suspended for 80 games Friday for testing positive for performance enhancing metabolites.

Ruiz will be suspended without pay at the start of the 2015 season. It was Ruiz's first offense. A second offense carries a season-long suspension. A third offense results in a permanent ban.

The Indians drafted Ruiz in the 41st round in 2011. He was born in the Dominican Republic, but lives in Cleveland with his family.

This is Ruiz's third year in the Tribe's minor league system. He spent this season at Class A Lake County where he hit .260 (76-for-292) with 18 doubles, three homers and 28 RBI. He played 52 games in the outfield and made three errors.

Ruiz, 22, played in the Arizona Rookie League in 2012 and Class A Mahoning Valley in 2013. The numbers he posted this season at Lake County are by far his best.

On Jan. 23, Class AA Akron right-hander Duke von Schamann was suspended for 50 games without pay for a second violation of MLB's drug program. Von Schamann, acquired by the Indians early last season from the Dodgers for lefty Colt Hynes, was 8-8 with a 4.20 ERA at Akron.

Von Schamann, like Ruiz, will serve the suspension at the starts of the 2015 season.

He appeared in 24 games, including 20 starts, and threw 135 innings.