Former White Sox prospect Tyler Williams, son of Sox executive vice president Ken Williams, was given a 50-game suspension under baseball’s minor league drug program for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
Williams, 25, had been released by the Winston-Salem Dash, a Sox’ Class A team, after the 2015 season, his fifth in the minor leagues, and likely was finished with baseball before the test result was released by Major League Baseball.
Williams was drafted by the White Sox in the 43rd round of the 2009 draft but did not sign, opting for junior college instead. He was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in June, 2011, then released and signed by the Sox in July of 2011. Williams batted .221 with 13 homers over five minor-league seasons.
In addition to Williams, Baltimore minor league pitcher Zack Dodson was suspended 100 games following a third positive test for a drug of abuse, his second ban in five years. New York Mets minor league third baseman Eudor Garcia was banned 80 games after a positive test for Bumetanide, a diuretic that can mask steroids, and Furosemide, a diuretic sold under the name Lasix. There have been five suspensions this year under the minor league program.
When contacted, Ken Williams declined to comment.
The Sox vice president has three sons. Kyle has played four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. Kenny Williams Jr., who was drafted by the Sox in 2008, is no longer playing baseball but was employed by the Diamondbacks as a scout.
Contributing: Associated Press
