Drake Britton Arrested For DUI, Multiple Other Charges

Boston Red Sox minor leaguer Drake Britton was reportedly arrested on multiple charges late Saturday evening near the team’s Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Florida, according to a report from Robert Emrich at MiLB.com. Police in Fort Myers allegedly clocked Britton driving at speeds up to 111 MPH, at which point he attempted to elude police until taking the black pickup truck off road. Additional reports from Peter Abraham at Boston.com suggest that he also jumped a curb, hit a barbed wire fence, and continued trying to drive through a wooded area. He’d admit to police on scene that he had been drinking. Britton has been charged with DUI, excessive speeding, property damage, and reckless driving. After posting a $2,250 bond he was released and will be due back in court later this month.

The team released a statement shortly after the incident was first reported:

"This is a matter that the Red Sox take very seriously and it is being addressed. The club will not make further comment on this matter."

Britton, 23, was a 23rd Round pick by the Red Sox in the 2007 Draft. The left-hander split this past season between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland, combining to make 24 starts (26 appearances). He went 4-7 on the year, with a 4.44 ERA and 1.427 WHIP. Those numbers aren’t far off of his career marks, which isn’t encouraging.

Monday morning Boston made their first round of cuts in Spring Training and Britton was among those moves. He was assigned to Double-A Portland, along with shortstop prospect Deven Marrero.