Formerly incarcerated No. 1 overall pick finally reaches majors with Rangers
Bush, now a reliever, was released from prison last October.
By
Dayn Perry
•
1 min read
The Rangers on Friday announced that they were calling up reliever Matt Bush from Double-A.
The Rangers signed Bush in December after he finished serving more than three years in prison. Bush's incarceration was part of a no-contest plea deal stemming from a DUI with serious bodily injury charge in Florida. The charges came after Bush, while driving with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system, struck a 72-year-old man on motorcycle and then fled the scene. The victim almost died from his injuries but later forgave Bush for his crime.
Bush, now 30, was the top overall pick of the 2004 draft (Padres). He was drafted as a shortstop but in 2007, after never developing at the plate and after a number of alcohol-related incidents, began converting into a relief pitcher. Along the way, he also spent time in the Rays organization.
Prior to this season, Bush had not seen game action since 2011. Not counting recent draftees, Bush had been one of just three No. 1 picks to never reach the majors, joining Steve Chilcott (1966, Mets) and Brien Taylor (1991, Yankees). Now, he's off that unfortunate list.
This season, Bush has pitched to a 2.65 ERA with 18 strikeouts and four walks in 18.0 innings for Double-A Frisco.
