Brady Aiken’s debut for IMG Academy did not go the way he wanted.
Aiken, who was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Astros last year but did not sign because of a monetary dispute, elected to attend IMG Academy as he prepares to re-enter the draft. He made his first start Thursday and left with a trainer after throwing just 13 pitches, MLB.com’s Adam Berry reports:
Brady Aiken, last year's No. 1 Draft pick, left his first start for IMG Academy with a trainer after throwing 13 pitches.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 19, 2015
The Astros initially offered Aiken $6.5 million but lowered that offer enough to upset the high school pitcher, leading him not to sign. Though the Astros said the offer was lowered because of concerns about Aiken’s elbow, many felt the team lowered the offer in order to have more money available to sign their other draft picks.
Perhaps Houston will ultimately be proven to be justified in having concerns about Aiken’s health.
Baseball America’s John Manuel says there have been rumors all spring that Aiken was not right physically:
No indication of why Aiken was removed, but rumors that he's not 100% right physically have persisted all spring
— John Manuel (@johnmanuelba) March 19, 2015
Scouts who were there today report Aiken's velocity topped in 92-93 mph range. Velo on last pitch, curveball, dipped to 72 #mlbdraft
— John Manuel (@johnmanuelba) March 19, 2015
Photo: Brady Aiken/Twitter
