For the record, a pair of second-round draft picks recently were hit with 50-game suspensions for each testing positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance under the minors’ drug-testing system.

• Nationals outfielder-turned-righthander Stephen Englund, 21, began serving his suspension on Aug. 11. Washington’s second-round selection in ’06 from Bellevue (Wash.) High, he had been in the process of converting to the mound when the suspension was announced. In three appearances for the Rookie-level GCL Nationals, Englund struck out four batters and walked none over 2 2/3 perfect innings of work.

Englund began the season as a corner outfielder with low Class A Hagerstown, but after batting just .109/.182/.139 with three extra-base hits (all doubles) in 29 games, the organization shipped him to the GCL to begin life as a pitcher. His poor showing in ’09 was hardly an isolated incident. Over the course of 192 pro games, none of them above the South Atlantic League, Englund batted .188/.308/.252 in 654 at-bats. Yes, the amateur scouting reports on Englund, who signed for $515,000, appear to have been spot-on.

• Brewers righthander Cody Adams began serving his suspension nearly a month ago, on July 17. Milwaukee took the Southern Illinois product off the board in the ’08 draft’s second round and signed him for $653,000. In 16 games (12 starts) for low Class A Wisconsin, the 22-year-old Adams went 3-6, 5.93 with a 37-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 57 2/3 innings. Though he gave up 74 hits (.322 opponent average) and uncorked nine wild pitches, he allowed just three home runs.