The Brewers’ top three prospects entering the year were Yovani Gallardo–check–Ryan Braun–check–and Will Inman, since traded to the Padres. No. 4 was Jeremy Jeffress, the flamethrowing prep righthander whom the Brewers drafted in the first round in 2006.

Now Jeffress, who was finishing his first full season at low Class A West Virginia, has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a drug of abuse in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program. Jeffress was 9-5, 3.13, and had struck out 95 in 86 innings for the Power. West Virginia is headed for the South Atlantic League playoffs, and Jeffress was slated to be the team’s No. 2 starter.

“It’s a very unfortunate thing,’” Power pitching coach John Curtis told the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette. “We’re very concerned about him. Whatever the suspension is for, hopefully it’s getting better and he can come back and be a better human being and a better pitcher.”

Jeffress is the second high-profile pitching prospect suspended this year for a drug of abuse, following Twins righthander Anthony Swarzak.