Athlete, Cartersville Native Suspended

The former standout athlete and current San Diego Padres prospect, Donavan Tate, has been suspended from play after testing positive for drugs twice.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball issued a press release Tuesday announcing the Minor League outfielder, who is currently on the roster of the Northwest League's Class A Eugene, was suspended for 50 games "for a second-time positive test for a Drug of Abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."

According to AOL Sporting News, drugs of abuse are defined as recreational and not performance-enhancing.

Tate will be given credit for 25 games already served while undergoing substance abuse counseling. The other 25 games suspension will be served effective immediately, according to the release.

The sports superstar on the baseball and football fields at CHS before committing to North Carolina was the No. 3 pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. 

"Tate signed for a $6.25 million bonus, bypassing a scholarship offer to play baseball and football at North Carolina. Since his signing, the two players picked ahead of him, [Stephen] Strasburg and [Dustin] Ackley, have made their major league debuts," AOL reported.

He earned Most Valuable Player honors after the Padres' annual 25-day instructional league program in 2010, according to here.

"Tate was 20-for-68 (.294) with a .368 on-base percentage and .471 slugging percentage and seven stolen bases through 17 Class-A games this season," according to AOL. "After not playing in 2009 because of a broken jaw, Tate has missed significant time in the Padres farm system. He hyperextended a knee earlier this year in an outfield collision and also missed time last season after suffering a concussion, shoulder injury and viral illness."

According to the AJC, in addition to Eugene, Tate this season has played in the Midwest League with the Class A Fort Wayne TinCaps, a Padres' affiliate.