Barret Loux awaits Spring Training to demonstrate talent – MLB News
Chicago Cubs’ search for the right pitchers has been an otherwise tiring but rewarding experience. While they got the likes of Scott Feldman and Scott Baker recently, acquisition of Barret Loux from the Texas Rangers is another move that will go a long way to determine the rotation’s success.
The Cubs traded Jacob Brigham and got Loux who will be playing along with his college teammate, pitcher Brooks Raley.
After struggling a bit due to shoulder injury which culminated with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ change of mind, wherein they had offered him $2 million deal in 2010, Loux did not give up and continued work assiduously to get the place he deserved.
Being declared free agent by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig after intervention, it was the Texas that signed him in $312,000 in 2010. Since then he did not look back.
The pitcher went on to unleash his power as the pitcher, being named the 2012 Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year with 14-1 record to his credit, posting 3.47 ERA in 25 starts.
It was his excellent performance there that enabled the team to make it to the Texas League Championship Series.
"It was a lot of fun," Loux said of his 2012 season. "I set two goals for myself: one, to stay healthy, and two, every time I go out there, give my team a chance to win. I succeeded in those goals and ultimately, it makes you successful. I don't set won-loss goals, strikeout goals, ERA goals. I think [my way] helps simplify things and keep your mind off stuff you can't control."
His shoulder might have been an issue in the past, but he is now looking forward to pitching effortlessly.
"The main issue was my shoulder, which I never knew about it because what happened to it was in high school, and I never got an MRI and it never bothered me," Loux said
Much as he seems a dominating pitcher, the Cubs have not quit looking for more. They, after all, are coming from a season where they had lost 101 games; and pitching was one of the several weaknesses they had to overcome.
Tags: