In his first game back in the majors in eight seasons, Jon Singleton recorded a single in his second at-bat, completing an unbelievable comeback to the big leagues with the Brewers.
Singleton started Saturday’s game at first base and hit sixth in the batting order for Milwaukee, which called him up from Triple-A Nashville on Friday night.
The former Astros top prospect had not been in the Majors since 2015.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Singleton before the game Saturday, according to The Associated Press. “Right now, I really can’t even describe my emotions, my feelings. Definitely grateful.”
Singleton was drafted by the Phillies in the 8th round of the 2009 MLB Draft and started appearing on various top 100 prospect lists in 2011.
He became the Astros’ top prospect after being traded to the team at the 2011 trade deadline.
While much-hyped on the field as a prospect, off-field issues began to emerge in 2012 when he tested positive for marijuana in June, and then again in January 2013, leading to a 50-game suspension.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Jon Singleton (12) jogs through the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, June 3, 2023.AP
Jon Singleton in September of 2014.Getty ImagesBefore the 2014 season, Singleton opened up about his marijuana addiction and month-long stay at a rehab center.
Singleton would make his MLB debut that season, but after hitting just .168 in 362 plate appearances that year, he started 2015 in the minor leagues.
Singleton didn’t appear in the majors in the 2016 or 2017 season, and in January 2018, he was suspended 100 games after a third positive drug test.
Houston released him in May amid the suspension.
After a stint in the Mexican League in 2020, Singleton signed with the Brewers before the 2022 season and eventually earned the call-up after flashing solid power numbers in Triple-A, finishing with an .809 OPS.
