MLB Rumors: Houston Astros unlikely to get another shot at signing Brady Aiken

The Houston Astros made some unfortunate history earlier this summer when it comes to the MLB Amateur Draft.

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At the end of July they failed to sign pitcher Brady Aiken, the no. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, before the deadline passed. At that same moment they also failed to sign high picks Jacob Nix (5th round) and Mac Marshall (21st round).

Things might actually be changing course for the Astros with Nix, but that has created some confusion about the team’s situation with Aiken. An arbitration process could force the Astros to sign Nix, and some took that to mean that they could also end up signing Aiken even though the deadline has long since passed.

According to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, that is not the case:

"The Astros are “highly unlikely” to be able to sign first overall draft pick Brady Aiken after the July 18 deadline, according to a person familiar with the situation, who expressed surprise at a report from last week that Aiken could still sign……But Aiken — as the Chronicle was the first to report last week — has not filed a grievance against the Astros. He has a Sept. 1 deadline to do so, although the deadline could be extended."

Nix is the one who has filed a grievance, but unless Aiken does the same, their situations are not comparable. Barring a change in that regard, Aiken will not be a member of the Astros organization.

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