The Philadelphia Phillies announced they released former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel on Monday.

Appel was the first overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. His journey to the big leagues was long and tedious, as he failed to earn a big league call-up through the first few years of his professional career. In 2018, Appel walked away from the game, but returned in 2021. Appel made his big league debut in 2022 for the Phillies.

The eight-year journey was an uncertain one for the former top prospect. He was looking to make another run at the big leagues in 2023, but the Phillies' decision to move on from him will lead to further uncertainty for Mark Appel.

He had previously posted a long thread on Twitter prior to the Phillies' decision to release him, stating that the 2023 campaign will likely be his final one in professional baseball.

“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,” Appel wrote on Twitter, the first tweet of an in-depth thread.

It will be interesting to see if any other organizations take a chance on Mark Appel. He's appeared in only six MLB games and failed to show much promise during his tenure in the minor leagues. Nevertheless, he was the first overall pick for a reason. At just 31-years old, Appel could still become a capable MLB reliever.

However, he needs another opportunity.