2013 First Round Pick Made Public by Phillies

Last season, just before turning 31, Mark Appel, the top choice in the 2013 draft, made his big league debut. Again without a team, the right-hander.

The Phillies announced that former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel had been released. https://t.co/K1136kyzGW
— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) March 20, 2023

The Philadelphia Phillies, who won the National League, released Appel on Monday. In six Grapefruit League starts in the spring, he posted an 11.12 ERA, walking six batters and allowing three home runs in 5⅔ innings.

Rob Thomson, the Phillies manager, stated that Appel would not be making the team and that Triple-A would not be an option for him.

My Honest Reality
March 19, 2023

Welcome to the 2023 baseball season.

Opening Day is around the corner. Pitchers are almost ready. Position players are locked in. Fans share the optimism a new season brings.

But this isn't just another season.

This is likely my last.
— Mark Appel (@markappel26) March 18, 2023

Houston selected Appel first overall by the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford, and his signing bonus was $6.35 million. On June 29 of last year, he finally made his big league debut. In six games for the Phillies, he threw 10⅓ innings with a 1.74 ERA.

Philly, thank you. For everything.

In 2015, you believed in me and traded for me, even as I struggled with performance and injuries.

In 2018, you graciously supported me as I dealt with my struggles off the field.

(more below)
— Mark Appel (@markappel26) March 20, 2023

Before being traded to Philadelphia in a multi-team deal, Appel advanced with the Astros to Triple-A in 2015. Ineffectiveness and injuries led him to retire from baseball after the 2017 season, but he returned to the Phillies’ organization in 2021.