It was nine years ago when the Houston Astros selected Mark Appel first overall in the MLB Draft. Now, the right-hander is a major league arm with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 30-year-old faced the Atlanta Braves and tossed one inning of scoreless baseball. He allowed an infield single and struck out one batter in the frame.
Appel took some time to reflect on his debut following the game:
“I’m a Philadelphia Phillie and it still doesn’t feel real…,” Appel said in a Twitter thread.
To everyone who reached out in congratulations over the weekend, thank you. It means more than you know.”
The former first overall selection spent two years in the Astros minor league system before being traded to the Phillies for Ken Giles.
In 2017, after struggling and dealing with injuries, the Phillies designated Appel for assignment. A few months later, he announced he would be stepping away from baseball at just 26 years old.
“Whether you’ve followed my story for a long time or you just learned about it this past weekend, you’ve recognized the twists and turns along the journey and the perseverance it’s taken to keep going,” Appel said.
The 30-year-old hurler returned to the minor leagues in 2021. He reached AAA Lehigh Valley in 2022 and turned in a dazzling performance. He pitched to a 5-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.
Appel spoke about how his flame for baseball died while rehabbing an arm injury in 2017. However, the 30-year-old tweeted that God had other plans for him and that he needed another spark to reignite the flame.
“Like a flame that’s died needs a new spark from a new source, my career needed resurrection only God could provide.
“So yes, I’ve worked hard, maintained hope, and persevered.
“But without that divine spark, all my efforts would’ve been in vain.”
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