Boog Powell's Future With Seattle Mariners In Major Doubt

Boog Powell has been one of the top minor league outfielders for the Seattle Mariners this season, even making the team’s 40-man roster. But on Thursday, MLB announced that Powell has been suspended for violating the league’s drug agreement after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. In addition to costing Powell a significant chunk of the 2016 season, this suspension could put the young center fielder’s future in Seattle in serious jeopardy.

So far this season, Powell has had tremendous success at Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .270 with 27 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 64 games playing center field. The 23-year-old appeared to be on his way to playing a contributing role to the big-league club if he continued at his current pace, particularly as the Mariners have struggled recently with depth at the outfield positions. If those struggles continued and a significant role could have been created for Powell to see playing time, there’s a good chance he could have gotten a call-up at some point this summer.

All of that, however, is now out the window after Powell tested positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, an anabolic steroid used to increase speed and strength. This is the second time that Powell has been suspended for a banned substance after serving a 50-game suspension back in 2014 for testing positive for an amphetamine. If he’s popped again for a banned substance, he’ll be staring at a season-long suspension.

Seattle is looking for players they can rely on, particularly in the outfield, moving forward. Their need for outfield depth took on greater importance with the team optioning Nori Aoki, signed as a free agent this offseason to be a consistent producer at the top of the lineup, to Triple-A this week. This could have been an opportunity for Powell to make a push for promotion. Instead, he’s on the shelf while others step up to take their shot.

And while Powell watches from home, the Mariners are going to make plans moving forward without him. If they can find another young outfielder to step up and produce, this suspension could spell the end for Boog Powell with the Seattle Mariners.