Nick Piccone
Mark Appel recently sat down for an interview with the people from Phillies Clubhouse, which aired last night on Comcast SportsNet. If you didn’t catch it, Appel had some interesting comments about him being a former first overall draft pick by the Houston Astros, and what it means for whoever the Phillies wind up taking first overall in this year’s MLB Draft.
Looking back, it’s one of those things that it’s a blessing and a curse, it really is … Whoever the Phillies take first overall, hopefully I’ll be able to meet him and share some of the things that I struggled with and failed at to make him a better player and hopefully see him realize the potential that he has.”
It’s taken a while for Appel to develop and he still hasn’t realized his potential. It’s why he was available this winter and the Phils were able to acquire him in the Ken Giles trade with Houston. The 6-foot-5 right-hander entered this season with a 5.12 ERA in 253 innings in the Astros’ system. He struggled with command and was hit around at pretty much every level. The fact that Kris Bryant was taken second overall that year has only made the criticism louder and the road tougher for Appel, now 24.
“Obviously, you’re paid well and you’re afforded opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise. But at the same time, there’s this level of expectation and pressure that goes along with it,” Appel said. “And that’s kind of hard to explain to the average person. I think everybody has expectations and pressures in their own life, but first overall pick is a little bit unique. The public nature of it is unique, and so there’s a lot that goes into it.”
Sounds like a good guy to have on the roster, especially because he still has time to reach his potential as a first overall pick. With the Phillies owning the first pick in this year’s draft, which takes place on June 9th, Appel sounds like he’d be a good mentor for whichever kid the Phillies draft.
Listen to some of his comments below.