Report: 2014 No. 1 pick Brady Aiken to pitch for IMG Academy

Brady Aiken, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft by the Houston Astros, will pitch for IMG Academy in Florida this spring. The Astros failed to sign Aiken last July after doctors discovered a small tear in the lefthander's ulnar collateral ligament. The two sides had originally agreed to a $6.5 million bonus, but Houston, wary of the injury risk, reduced its offer. Aiken ended up rejecting a final number of $5 million.

Brady Aiken, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft by the Houston Astros, will pitch for IMG Academy in Florida this spring, ESPN's Keith Law reports.

The Astros failed to sign Aiken last July after doctors discovered a small tear in the lefthander's ulnar collateral ligament. The two sides had originally agreed to a $6.5 million bonus, but Houston, wary of the injury risk, reduced its offer. Aiken ended up rejecting a final number of $5 million.

Aiken had originally committed to UCLA, but will be eligible for the 2015 draft by pitching for IMG. He will be joined there by fellow UCLA recruit and Astros draftee Jacob Nix, a fifth-round choice in 2014.

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Law reports Aiken will make seven to nine starts and plans to pitch a full summer for the team that drafts him.

Because they were unable to sign Aiken, the Astros receive the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft as compensation. They will not be allowed to select Aiken with that selection unless they agree to a deal with him before the draft.

Houston also holds the No. 5 pick in the draft. This year brings an end to Houston's run of three straight No. 1 selections.

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- Paul Palladino