Jeffress was taken with the Brewers first overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player’s Draft at pick number 16. He received a $1.55 million signing bonus from the organization. Jeffress’ past has come into question after this positive test because his agent claims that the test was not for performance enhancing drugs but for another drug. That other drug is reportedly marijuana.

Jeffress tested positive for a banned substance towards the end of the 2007 season. Jeffress admitted to the media that his positive test was for marijuana. That suspension was for 50 games, which carried over into the 2008 season. He was pitching at High Class A Brevard County, which has only 75 games remaining in their 2009 season, prior to his suspension. This means that his second suspension will carry over into the 2010 season.

“All I’ll say is it was not a performance-enhancing drug. We all know the issue Jeremy has had in the past. He obviously has a very sensitive issue he has to overcome. This is all about Jeremy now. This is a problem that goes beyond his career. It’s more important to get the person fixed. He wants to have a healthy and productive life, much less baseball,” said Josh Kusnick, Jeffress’ agent.

Jeffress also tested positive for marijuana in a test administered by the Brewers organization after his first 50 game suspension and was disciplined by the franchise. In six games (five starts) for Brevard County, Jeffress was 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 33 innings. He was demoted from Class-AA Huntsville after going 1-3 with a 7.57 ERA at the start of the season.