The Texas Rangers have signed Barret Loux, the former Texas A&M standout pitcher, to a contract. Terms of the contact have yet to be disclosed.
Loux was selected with the sixth overall selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft this past June by the Arizona Diamondbacks. After failing a physical, the Diamondbacks did not sign Loux to a contract. Major League Baseball ruled that Loux could be granted free agency as a result as opposed to waiting until the next draft.
Loux threw for scouts in late September and began accepting offers from teams in early October. Milwaukee, Houston, Florida, Minnesota, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle and the Chicago Cubs were among the teams that were interested in Loux along with the Rangers.
Loux's best pitch is his fastball, which according to Baseball America, sits 90-92 and can touch 95. His 6'5" 220lb frame enables him to throw the ball with ease, making the fastball more explosive than the radar gun may state.
The health of Loux is a risk, and one the Diamondbacks weren't willing to take. Aside from failing a physical with Arizona, Loux had a procedure done to remove bone chips from his elbow after the 2009 season.