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D'Backs' First-Rounder Fails Physical
By Luke Adams [July 10 at 10:52pm CST]
Barret Loux, Arizona's first-round pick in this year's draft, has failed his physical exam, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports. According to Ringolsby, the Diamondbacks have broken off negotiations with Loux, who they picked sixth overall last month.
When the D'Backs selected the Texas A&M right-hander, John Manuel wrote that it was the first pick of the draft Baseball America didn't like. Manuel noted that Loux wasn't considered a consensus first-rounder and that the right-hander had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow at A&M. Loux also received a heavy workload leading up to the draft, throwing 123+ pitches on four different occasions between May 6th and June 4th.
Considering slot money for the sixth overall pick is approximately $2.6MM, the D'Backs seem unlikely to reach an agreement with Loux if his health is a concern. Ringolsby indicates that the decision to draft Loux was made by Josh Byrnes, and that the move may have played a part in the Arizona GM losing his job.
If the D'Backs do not sign Loux, they'll receive the seventh overall pick in next year's draft as compensation.