Manheim High School's Austin Gallagher was recently cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after receiving a 50-game suspension for taking a banned substance. Today, the Phillies picked him up, according to the Lancaster Sunday News. To make room in camp, the Phillies released infielder Andres Blanco.
Gallagher tested positive for the substance methylhexaneamine. Like our old friend J.C. Romero, Gallagher says that the postive test was the result of taking Hydroxycut from GNC. The bottle does not list methylhexaneamine as one of the ingredients.
His Father, Glenn Gallagher, explained,
"He was just trying to lose some body fat," Gallagher said. "It's not a steroid. It's not [human growth hormone]. It's an over-the-counter thing. I actually use it myself."
Gallagher is a first baseman who hit .283 for the Rancho Cugamonga Quakes in 2012. His on base percentage was .383 and he slugged a .481 for a .864 OPS. Originally a third round draft pick of the Dodgers in 2007, Gallagher has never played above Class A. His brother, Cameron, is a top catching prospect for the Royals.
Gallagher begins his 50-game suspension on April 1 before becoming eligible to play for the Phillies.
