Philadelphia Phillies Release Former No. 1 Overall Pick

Following a rough spring training, the Philadelphia Phillies have released former first overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Mark Appel.

Mark Appel was the No. 1 overall pick in 2013.

In 2018, he stepped away from the game.

In 2021, he started his comeback.

Tonight, he made his big league debut and threw a scoreless inning. pic.twitter.com/adSjTjxinP

— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2022

The 31-year-old right-hander made his major league debut with the Phillies last year but was only able to pitch in six relief appearances before getting injured.

During this year's Grapefruit League, Appel struggled, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts across six appearances and 5.2 innings.

His release by the Phillies comes after they did not see enough improvement from him to justify keeping him for the minor-league season.  

A lot of support for Mark Appel in the replies to this news.

After moving to the 'pen, 2022 was his best season, statistically, so perhaps another team will sign him, if that's what he wants.

MiLB: 6-0, 3.16 ERA, 36 K, 17 BB, 40 IP, 31 G
MLB: 1.74 ERA, 5 K, 3 BB, 10.1 IP, 6 G https://t.co/5WupaJtNIN

— Kelsie Heneghan (@Kelsie_Heneghan) March 20, 2023

Although Appel has stated on his personal Twitter account that this season may be his last in professional baseball, he hopes to join another team before the start of the 2023 regular season. 

Last season, at the minor-league level, Appel recorded a solid 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, with 36 strikeouts across 40 innings and 31 relief appearances.
Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports