The biggest error the Astros committed in the 2014 draft was selecting a guy who was too good to pass up!  Apparently it was because of his UCL abnormally small size that he could throw with the prototypical type of delivery.  Here they were looking at a once in a generation pitcher in Aiken's pitching arsenal, from the polls after the draft most ML clubs would have picked him #1.  Aiken was said to have a better delivery and pitchers body type of Rodon.  And Rodon was even being projected as ultimately a reliever.  http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-preview-shakeup-atop-mock-draft-3-0/   Go look it up on Google, and see how many mock drafts had Rodon going number 1?

Nobody could have predicted Aiken's UCL issue. Maybe the Aiken camp knew something, and maybe that is why they enticed the Astros to do the 2 for 1 wink wink deal (Aiken and Nix).  However after the UCL issue was found out,  and the Astros said "we are reducing your commission to pay Marshall", everything fell apart.  It seems that Marshall was the Astros insurance from the Start, and it was a smart move!  A Marshall and Nix could have allowed the Astros to be patient with the Aiken injury and recovery.  Marshall and Nix are probably going to be very high 1st round picks in the 2015 draft. 

Just as Aiken had the UCL issue, any of the other pitchers could have as well.  It's a crap shoot, especially when teams can't require the physicals.  The biggest red flag was why was Aiken so good?????

People like to harp on the Astros, especially after the strategy to tear it down to rebuild.  But here they have a competent Front office and did their due diligence, minimizing their exposure in the draft (maybe after being offered the Nix + Aiken deal, the Astros quickly looked at Marshall as a backup plan in case there was an issue that arose, maybe it all smelled too good for comfort).  They have a solid built ML roster and some elite prospects lining up to join the team in 1 or 2 year.  The team is going to be very good.  Plus they get the #2 and #5 picks in this years draft.

And regarding Appel over Bryant, I must say that Appel showed his resolve turning down million on going back to Stanford to dominate again.  Appel has the ability to be an Ace, and he got smeared because of the tough showing at Lancaster.  But the Astro's insisted that Appel's pitching arsenal was sharp; and that he'd figure it out.  Elite 3rd basemen are not as valuable as Elite CF's, SS's, or Ace pitchers.  There are premium positions in Baseball, and that's why you pay a little extra for them.

When all is said and done, I think the Astros have improved their chances of being a World Series team. Correa, Appel, and whomever they pick in the 2015 draft figure to be key players for the next decade.  Could they have drafted better, maybe, but hindsight is 20/20.

Hypothetical question, would you rather have Appel/Bryant or Correa/Appel?  Personally, I say Correa/Appel is a superior combination.  Because the Astros were looking to sign Appel back in 2012 when they took Correa.  So in 2013 they'd of taken Bryant, but if rumors are true they were eyeing Colin Moran with the #1 pick.  So we could be hear looking at Appel/Moran......

Appel/Moran may not be as exciting as what we have now Correa/Appel/Moran/McCullers/#2 pick 2015.  So some of y'all should be happy for what we do have!  In that first scenaio, we'd still have Jared Cosart to the mix.