Barret

Loux

Loux is a former first-round pick by the D’Backs that didn’t sign due to concerns over a shoulder injury. He has been healthy for the Rangers, though, and posted a 3.25 ERA over 25 Double-A starts for them in 2012.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Anthony Andro reports that the deal is for $312,000. Loux was the No. 6 overall pick in June but didn’t sign with the Diamondbacks after failing a physical due to shoulder and elbow issues. Several teams were expected to make him an offer after he threw for a handful of squads, but it’s the Rangers that have landed him. It’s a worthy gamble, as Loux, who pitched in college at Texas A&M, obviously has talent.

The D’Backs selected Loux sixth overall in this June’s first-year player draft, but backed out on signing him after a physical revealed a labrum tear and elbow issues. He will be free to sign with any major league club once September hits and should draw a large amount of interest. The 21-year-old right-hander out of Texas A&M is known for having great command of four pitches and projects as a front-line starter.

Rogers writes that several teams are expected to make an offer. Loux, who was selected by the Diamondbacks in June, was left unsigned after failing a physical. The Brewers, Astros, Marlins, Cubs, Rangers, Twins, Giants, Phillies and Mariners sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old right-hander throw last month.

“We’ve had further internal conversations and we’re probably not going to pursue it,” said Wade. “We talked long and hard about it and we wanted to make sure we did our advance work and tried to get an arm around the entire situation. At this point in time, it’s something we’re not going to pursue.” The Astros were one of a handful of team in attendance when the right-hander threw in College Station, Texas last month. The Diamondbacks chose Loux with the No. 6 pick in June, but opted not to sign him after he failed a physical.

Loux was the No. 6 overall pick in last June’s draft, but was left unsigned after a physical revealed a labrum tear and elbow issues. After missing out on a multi-million dollar signing bonus, he signed with the Rangers for $312,000 in November. Simply put, the right-hander is a lottery ticket.

“We’ll look into it,” Wade said. “We’ll do our due diligence and decide if he’s someone who’s in our best interest.” The D’Backs cut ties with Loux after the draft due to a labrum tear and elbow issues that were revealed in a July physical. He’s going to hit free agency on September 1 and will be available to all interested major league teams. Look for a small bidding war.

The Brewers were one of several teams in attendance when Loux threw Thursday afternoon in College Station, Texas. “We’ve known Barrett since high school and we like the talent,” Seid told McCalvy via e-mail. “We have seen him a lot this year and in years past. ... We are in the process of weighing out our risk/reward assessment based on his medical [reports] with our staff. So, as we would every player we have interest in, we are following-up to see his progress since he has had a long layoff.” The 21-year-old right-hander was declared a free agent at the start of the month after failing a physical with the Diamondbacks.

According to McTaggart, the Astros, Marlins, Rangers, Cubs, Twins, Giants, Brewers, Phillies and Mariners were all in attendance. The 21-year-old right-hander threw between 50 and 60 pitches for about 25 minutes. Loux, who was selected by the Diamondbacks in June, was left unsigned after a physical revealed a labrum tear and elbow issues.

Loux has four solid pitches, including a low-90s fastball, and good command, traits that should speed his way to the majors. He lacks top-of-the-rotation upside, but he could be a factor before the end of 2011.