Nov. 19, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Former Texas A&M All-American pitcher Barret Loux has agreed to a contact with the American League Champion Texas Rangers.
"I'm really proud of Barret and the perseverance he has shown during a very difficult situation," Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress said. "He has handled things the right way and we wish him nothing but the best during his professional career."
Loux's unconventional path to professional baseball began in June when he was the sixth overall pick in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Following a change in team management, Loux was not signed by the Diamondbacks and granted free agency on Sept. 1 by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. The move was unprecedented in the history of the draft because in previous situations unsigned draft picks were required to sit out before re-entering the draft the following year. After throwing for multiple major league teams, including the Astros, Brewers, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Phillies and Twins, the Rangers' front office was able to come to terms with the Houston native.
During his three-year career in College Station, Loux emerged as one of the country's top collegiate pitchers. In his most recent season at Texas A&M, the Stratford High School product finished his junior campaign with an 11-2 mark and a 2.83 ERA, and led the Big 12 with 136 strikeouts in just 105 innings of work.
Following his impressive 2010 campaign Loux garnered first-team All-America honors from Baseball America and third-team accolades from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).