Former Padres first overall pick arrested in latest legal setback

No team is immune from prospect busts, and the San Diego Padres are no exception. Padres fans are well aware of how much guys like Donavan Tate, Matt Antonelli, and the entire top of their 1999 draft class didn't live up to their billing. Heck, the Padres just shipped likely bust Dylan Lesko to the Rays at the deadline in the Jason Adam trade.

However, few busts sting as much as Matt Bush.

Bush was widely considered to be one of the best prospects in the 2004 MLB Draft and the Padres decided to pick him first overall, handing him a $3.15 million bonus to get him signed. Unfortunately, Bush was promptly arrested a few weeks later after his involvement in a bar fight where he allegedly assault security guards. What followed was a lengthy history of legal issues and issues with alcohol that completely derailed his career.

After being converted to a pitcher, it seemed like Bush had gotten his life together. He managed to play stints with the Rangers (twice) and Brewers as a reliever. He even won a World Series with the Rangers in 2023 without making an appearance in the postseason. He finished his career with a 3.75 ERA, 4.19 FIP, 1.20 WHIP and 227 strikeouts in 211 innings.

Unfortunately, he found himself in the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons again. Bush was arrested for a suspected DWI in Arlington, Texas, after attempting to flee from police.

Former top Padres prospect Matt Bush arrested for suspected DWI

The details are unclear and obviously subject to change here. However, the current allegations are that Bush fled Texas police after a traffic stop and then fled the scene of a multi-car crash on foot before he was detained by bystanders. Bush and one of the drivers reportedly suffered minor injuries, but there is little known beyond that.

This is just another potentially sad turn in what has been a tragic story for Bush. His legal troubles over the last 20 years have been well-documented, but he seemed to be on the right track again and had overcome a drastic position change as well as multiple injuries to make it to the majors.

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