Ian Kahaloa has to be the prime example for young athletes about why you need to be worried about what you post to social media.
The Cincinnati Reds prospect was suspended 50 games by MLB on Tuesday after a second positive test for drugs of abuse. Given some of his postings to Snapchat, the positive drug tests should not come as a surprise.
A Twitter user posted videos last month that are recordings of videos Kahaloa posted to his Snapchat account. One video shows someone appears to snort a white powder substance through a rolled up bill. The video finishes with someone who appears to be Kahaloa drinking Coca Cola.
@MiLB @MLB @Reds @CinRedsTweet @BsbLifestyle__ @SportsCenter #Kahaloa pic.twitter.com/5oz54qRK9X
— C.Reds (@Reds_1fan) March 18, 2017
The second video shows a bong and marijuana on a table. The caption for the Snapchat video is “Wake and bake.”
#Kahaloa is a Pot&Coke head. Very disappointing! I'm the biggest Cincinnati Reds fan! &this discusses me! @MLB @Reds @CinRedsTweet pic.twitter.com/eQ2JaSz5MH
— C.Reds (@Reds_1fan) March 18, 2017
The pitcher’s agent did not confirm to the Cincinnati Enquirer whether or not it was Kahaloa in the video, but a Reds rep said he believes it is the pitcher.
“We’re obviously really concerned,” Reds player development director Jeff Graupe told the Enquirer. “We’re working to get Ian the help and assistance that we believe he needs to get his long-term future to a more stable place. We’re kind of putting the baseball on the backburner.”
Kahaloa did not participate in spring training because of the issues. His agent says the pitcher is currently in rehab.
What’s deeply troubling is that unlike a video that leaked such as in this athlete’s case, this is an example of an athlete appearing to tout his drug lifestyle. That would lead anyone to have concern about the player’s goals and well-being.
The 19-year-old Hawaii native has gone 3-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 17 starts during his 2-year career, all spent in rookie ball.
