Aiken should just go to a JUCO and come back next year. I mean, it's not like waiting an extra year hurt Appel or anything.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pitcher Mac Marshall, who is headed to LSU, confirms in a text message: "I did not sign." He was the Astros 21st-round pick.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/490244319828131840">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Gutsy move by the Astros. They better REALLY hope Brady Aiken doesn't become a stud down the line.....
Maybe it did in the long run... Appel pitched his ass off last year in college with all the pressure on him for not signing, and now he's breaking down both mentally and physically. Obviously, Aiken feels he can get more with his UCL being what it is.
There are plenty of Nix and Marshalls in ebery draft. Guys with super high ceilings and youth on their side. It would have been nice but it did not happen. I dont think any of us fans are holding out for that bonus money. The opportunity to select a future MVP outweighs the money. Had Aiken been cleared, it would have been quite a haul.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Brady Aiken becomes third No. 1 overall pick not to sign, following Danny Goodwin (1971) & Tim Belcher (1983). <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@Astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft">@MLBDraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/statuses/490244824495554562">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>There is no other way to put it: Without signing Brady Aiken or others, this draft was a complete and unequivocal disaster for the Astros.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/490245060009529345">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Between wasted years of development, tying two other players to Aiken's slot money, Houston whiffed on most important part of its rebuild.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/490245663045976064">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I've frequently and vocally backed the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> plan, so no bias here: today is a terrible step backwards.</p>— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) <a href="https://twitter.com/joe_sheehan/statuses/490245630694944768">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hard to overstate damage of repeated failures for HOU. 2013: Appel over Bryant. After designing a lost season in 2013, no No. 1 pick in '14.</p>— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/statuses/490246014797107200">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't know about "gutsy"... they basically just decided to skip this draft, which makes that 51-111 2013 season that much more "fun". Wait till the grievances and lawsuits hit.... seems like the Astros spend more time in courtrooms and involved with lawsuits than they do actually trying to win MLB games.
Ok, Well what happens if we finish with the 2nd worst record in the league this year. Will it be a 2a 2b pick for us?
It was gutsy (I didn't say smart or not) to not sign Aiken... the "safe" response would have been to just sign him and avoid all the negative press.
When people accuse the Astros of underhanded machinations, it should be noted that they are paying a penalty for not signing him. They are turning a 1.1 and a 5.1 into a 1.2. Maybe they did in fact prefer the gamble on next year's 1.2 to Aiken, but, as far as anybody in the press crapping on them is concerned, they are paying a price for not signing him.
Don't worry... they're going to go into full "F-U" mode soon and will definitely be the worst team in baseball. Gotta get those #1 AND #2 picks... all part of the "plan".
Agreed. Completely on the Astros side here not to take a chance on Aiken given the situation since they get compensation in next years draft.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“We tried to engage Casey Close three times today … there was no interest” — GM Jeff Luhnow tells the Chronicle</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/490245938842464256">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
