Rangers Sign Former Aggie Barret Loux

The Rangers have signed pitcher Barret Loux. The former Texas A&M standout was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 6th pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft but went unsigned after failing a team physical. Despite concerns regarding issues of varying degrees with both his shoulder and elbow on his pitching arm, the Rangers believed the former First Team All-Big 12 pitcher was worth the gamble, signing Loux to a $312k bonus.

"Our guys liked him in the Draft last year," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Obviously, there is a reason why his situation played out the way it did. Ultimately, we were comfortable with it.

"There is a risk with every player and every acquisition. We are happy to add another quality arm and a quality person to our organization. We are trying to add as much talent to the organization as possible."

With A&M, Loux went 11-2 with a 2.83 ERA and an opponents batting average of .202 while striking out 136 over 105.0 innings pitches.

The addition of the 6'5" Loux means Texas now has 5 of the first 49 picks from the 2010 Draft under contract.

By not signing Loux, Arizona will recieve the 7th pick in the 2011 Draft as compensation, a two-year old rule which was put into effect in an effort to prevent draft picks from holding out for more money from teams. The MLB Players Association is rumored to be looking into the possibility Arizona deliberately selected Loux despite having full knowledge of his injuries, simply so they could leave him unsigned and gain an additional top selection in the deeper 2011 Draft.