Chicago Cubs minor leaguer Elliot Soto suspended 50 games

Chicago Cubs minor league shortstop Elliot Soto was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

The suspension is effective at the beginning of next season.

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

Soto was banned after a second violation for a drug abuse. When labeled “drug abuse” it is more than likely that it is marijuana.

Soto, 24, is on the roster of the Class-A Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League. He batted .219 in 84 games at Class A Daytona and Double A Tennessee of the Southern League this season. In 135 at-bats he batted .331 with no home runs and 18 RBIs for Daytona and .269 with two home runs and six RBIs in 121 at-bats for Tennessee.

The Carpentersville, Illinois native graduated from Dundee-Crown High School in 2007 and led the Chargers to an Elite 8 appearance that season in the IHSA Class AA State Tournament.

Soto was drafted out of high school by the Minnesota Twins. He decided to accept a scholarship at Creighton and played shortstop for the Blue Jays until the Cubs selected him in the 15th round of the 2010 Baseball Amateur Draft.

Chicago White Sox minor league pitcher Nick Blount also received a 50 game suspension. Blount was suspended for a positive test for an amphetamine.

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