In 2014, the Houston Astros infamously selected prep left-hander Brady Aiken with the first overall pick in the amateur draft. The Astros and Aiken agreed to a $6.5 million bonus that generated over $1.4 million in bonus pool savings, savings that the Astros used to agree to terms with fifth-round pick Jacob Nix for $1.5 million, about $1.13 million over his slot amount. However, Aiken’s physical revealed a smaller-than-usual UCL that gave the Astros pause. As a result, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow tried to renegotiate his bonus down to just $5 million.
Aiken balked, the signing deadline passed, and the Astros reneged on their agreement with Nix as well, losing both of their top high school picks from their class.