THE SIDELINES : Braves, Draftee in High-Figures Pact

The Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement with first-round draft choice Tyler Houston of Las Vegas that reportedly will make him the highest-paid draftee in the National League club’s history.

Terms were not revealed, but The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today that Houston will get more than the $230,000 bonus received by pitcher Andy Benes of the San Diego organization last year. The Atlanta record is a $211,000 bonus to left-handed pitcher Steve Avery, the third pick in last year’s draft. The younger Houston batted .485 with 13 home runs and 66 RBI in his senior year at Valley High School in Las Vegas. He is primarily a catcher, but has played at third base and shortstop.