I Never Used Steroids

You were probably expecting us to talk about Roger Clemens with the title of this post, but that's not who we're referring to at all. And in this case there would be no doubt about the veracity of the statement. That's because it pertains to Daniel McCutchen, the Yankees pitching prospect that was suspended for 50 games towards the end of the 2006 season for the use of performance enhancing drugs (P.E.D).

While it was assumed by virtually everyone, and even written up that way by the media, including McCutchen's home town paper, the suspension was not for Steroids or HGH. As Peter Abraham of the Journal News reports, McCutchen was suspended for using Adderall, a prescription drug legally given to him for attention deficit disorder (ADD).

McCutchen's mistake was not filling out the proper paper work with the Yankees after he signed with them. The error cost McCutchen the last 30 games of 2006 and the first 20 of 2007. McCutchen used the time off to finish his bachelor's degree and then worked on re-establishing himself within the Yankees organization. He did just that, going 16-4, 2.59 combined for Tampa and Trenton at the single and double 'A' levels.

McCutchen has established an aggressive attitude on the mound, so much so that his teammates have nicknamed him "Danimal". His progress and demeanor have not gone unnoticed by the Yankees hierarchy.

"There's a game plan for everybody, but some guys move themselves, and he's one of those," (Brian) Cashman said. "He's a starter for now but we believe he does have the ability to relieve. Once we get more performance indicators, we'll see where he fits. But we like him."

At 25, McCutchen knows he has to step it up quickly or he'll fall off the Yankees radar.

"At my age, I need to be on the fast track," he said. "But whether I started the year at Double-A or Triple-A, I know I'm close to the majors.

"I've gone through too much already not to keep pushing and get there."

With a 94-mph fastball, a good sinker, changeup, and curveball, the odds are he'll reach his goal sooner rather than later.