Astros prospect J.J. Matijevic suspended 50 games for drug violation

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Tri-City ValleyCats' J.J. Matijevic, center, with teammates before playing the Hudson Valley Renegades during a minor league baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Troy, N.Y.

>>>See Houston's top prospects this season ... less Tri-City ValleyCats' J.J. Matijevic, center, with teammates before playing the Hudson Valley Renegades during a minor league baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Troy, N.Y. PHOTOS: Houston Astros top prospects in 2019

Tri-City ValleyCats' J.J. Matijevic, center, with teammates before playing the Hudson Valley Renegades during a minor league baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 17, Tri-City ValleyCats' J.J. Matijevic, center, with teammates before playing the Hudson Valley Renegades during a minor league baseball game on Thursday, Aug. 17, ... more Photo: Hans Pennink, Times Union Photo: Hans Pennink, Times Union Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close Astros prospect J.J. Matijevic suspended 50 games for drug violation 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

MINNEAPOLIS — Former Astros second-round pick J.J. Matijevic received a 50-game suspension after failing a second test for a drug of abuse, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.

Matijevic’s suspension is effective immediately. The 23-year-old infielder, ranked No. 22 among MLBPipeline’s Top 30 Astros prospects, was slashing .240/.293/.387 in his first 82 plate appearances with Class AA Corpus Christi.

“The Astros continue to fully support Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Programs,” the club said in a statement. “It is disappointing when any player is in violation of the policies that are in place. We hope that J.J. will learn from this experience moving forward.”

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Houston selected Matijevic with the final pick in the second round of the 2017 draft. The University of Arizona product spent most of last season in Class A-Advanced Buies Creek, slugging .513 in 88 games.

Matijevic is the organization’s second player since March to incur a drug suspension. Former top pitching prospect Francis Martes is currently serving an 80-game ban after a positive test for Clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance.

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