J.D. Drew and the Power of Arbitral Precedent in Professional Sports

By Rick Meyer   For 31 consecutive years the number one overall draft pick has agreed to terms on a contract with the Major League Baseball (“MLB”) franchise that drafted him.[6] This streak came to an abrupt end on July 18, 2014, when Brady Aiken, a San Diego high school pitcher failed to reach an agreement with the Houston Astros prior to the signing deadline. Two days after the draft, Aiken and the Astros agreed to a contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus pending a physical. Whil