Former No. 1 overall pick Matt Bush has been afforded a shot at redemption by the Texas Rangers.
According to the Dallas Morning News‘ Evan Grant, the Rangers signed the right-handed pitcher to a minor league contract after the top pick in the 2004 draft spent almost three years in jail following a serious hit-and-run DWI incident. The deal does not include an invitation to spring training at the major league level.
The 29-year-old had reportedly been serving the final nine months of his sentence in a work-release program and set his sights on a potential return to baseball during that time.
Based on his lengthy history of legal trouble that also includes an alleged spat with security guards, Bush will be under the microscope upon returning to the sport, per Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram:
According to Grant, Bush’s history has placed him in the minor league drug and alcohol testing program. The Rangers will also operate with a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to any future infractions.
“I think my future is as bright as I can make it,” Bush said, per Grant. “I wake up each day in a positive state of mind. Now, I’ve got a pretty cut-and-dried approach to things. I want to be part of the game. I want to be a role model. I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
After being drafted No. 1 overall as a shortstop by the San Diego Padres over a decade ago, Bush spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays system before landing with the Tampa Bay Rays prior to his DWI. According to the Tampa Bay Times‘ Joe Smith, he was involved in three hit-and-run DWI crashes the day of his arrest.
While it would be hard to have high expectations for Bush after such a long stretch out of the sport, Wilson noted he still has some gas left in the tank:
A quick move up the organizational ladder in a relief role would be surprising, to say the least, but Bush clearly has the raw physical chops necessary to turn some heads. If he can piece the rest of it together and maintain a clear focus on developing a prosperous career, he could wind up being one of the feel-good stories of the upcoming campaign.
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