The Philadelphia Phillies have had a busy off-season, with a number of changes to their roster as they prepare for the upcoming baseball season. Among these changes was the release of pitcher Mark Appel, who made his major-league debut in 2022, nine years after being drafted first overall in the amateur draft.
This news has left many Phillies fans wondering: Is Mark Appel still with the Phillies? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to that question in more detail.
We’ll look at Appel’s background and recent performance with the Phillies, as well as the team’s recent roster changes. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of whether or not Mark Appel is still a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Who is Mark Appel?
Mark Appel is a former professional baseball player who was born on July 15, 1991, in Houston, Texas.
He played college baseball at Stanford University and was drafted first overall by the Houston Astros in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. However, he did not sign with the team and returned to Stanford for his senior year.
Appel was then drafted eighth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2012 draft but did not sign with the team. The following year, he was selected first overall by the Astros and signed a contract with the team.
Appel’s career in the minor leagues was somewhat disappointing given his draft status. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency and never made it to the major leagues with the Astros. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 as part of a deal that sent closer Ken Giles to Houston.
Appel spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons in the Phillies’ minor league system but struggled to find success.
He posted a 5.27 ERA in 2016 and a 5.14 ERA in 2017. In 2018, he was placed on the restricted list after experiencing a shoulder injury and was eventually released by the Phillies in July of that year.
In 2022, Appel made his return to the Phillies’ organization, signing a minor-league contract with the team. He played for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, and made his major-league debut on September 6, 2022, at the age of 31.
Despite his long-awaited debut, Appel struggled in his one appearance, allowing three earned runs in just 0.2 innings of work.
However, Appel’s time with the Phillies was short-lived, as he was released by the team in March 2023.
Mark Appel’s Recent Return to the Phillies
After being released by the Phillies in 2018, Mark Appel took some time away from baseball to focus on his personal life and his faith.
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, he cited a desire to get back to playing baseball and a renewed passion for the game as reasons for his return to the Phillies in 2022.
Appel signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies in January 2022 and was invited to spring training.
He performed well during spring training, impressing the Phillies’ coaching staff with his velocity and command. As a result, he was assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, to start the season.
Appel had a solid season with the IronPigs, posting a 3.36 ERA in 27 appearances (24 starts). He struck out 126 batters in 139 innings of work while walking 48. While these numbers were not dominant, they were a significant improvement over his previous minor-league seasons.
Appel’s notable moment of the season came on September 6, 2022, when he made his major-league debut against the San Diego Padres. He entered the game in the top of the seventh inning with the Phillies trailing 4-0.
However, he struggled in his brief appearance, allowing three earned runs on two hits and a walk before being removed from the game.
Despite his struggles in his major-league debut, Appel’s return to the Phillies was seen as a positive step forward for his career.
He had shown improvement in the minor leagues and had earned the opportunity to pitch in the majors after a long and difficult journey. However, his release by the team in March 2023 suggests that the Phillies saw him as no longer part of their plans moving forward.
The Phillies’ Recent Roster Changes
The Philadelphia Phillies have undergone a number of roster changes in recent months as they prepare for the upcoming baseball season. One notable change was the release of Mark Appel in March 2023.
While Appel had shown improvement in the minor leagues and made his long-awaited major-league debut in 2022, the Phillies ultimately decided to part ways with the 31-year-old pitcher.
In addition to Appel’s release, the Phillies also reassigned three other players to minor league camp in March. Left-handed pitcher Ben Bowden, right-handed pitcher Louis Head, and catcher Max McDowell were all sent down to the minors after spending time in the team’s spring training camp.
Bowden, 27, had been acquired by the Phillies in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in July 2022. He had struggled in his brief stint with the Phillies, posting a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 innings of work.
Despite his struggles, the Phillies decided to keep him in the organization and give him more time to develop in the minors.
Head, 32, had signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies in December 2022. He had performed well during spring training, allowing just one earned run in 8.1 innings of work.
However, with the Phillies’ bullpen already crowded, the team decided to send him down to the minors for more seasoning.
McDowell, 26, had also signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies in December 2022. He had struggled at the plate during spring training, hitting just .125 in 16 at-bats.
With the Phillies already having a number of catchers on their roster, they decided to send McDowell down to the minors to work on his hitting.
Overall, the Phillies’ recent roster changes reflect the team’s focus on developing young talent and building for the future.
While the release of Mark Appel may have been a difficult decision, it shows that the team is willing to make tough choices in order to improve its roster and compete at a high level.
Recent Roster Changes for the Philadelphia Phillies
| Player | Transaction | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Appel | Released | March 28, 2022 |
| Ben Bowden | Reassigned to minor league | March 28, 2022 |
| Louis Head | Reassigned to minor league | March 28, 2022 |
| Max McDowell | Reassigned to minor league | March 28, 2022 |
| Matt Joyce | Released | December 2, 2021 |
| Jeff Mathis | Released | November 23, 2021 |
| Brad Hand | Released | November 3, 2021 |
This table summarizes the recent roster changes made by the Phillies, including the release of Mark Appel and the reassignment of several players to the minor leagues.
It also includes other players who were released by the team during the offseason, providing a broader perspective on the team’s roster moves.
Faqs
The Phillies selected Mark Appel with the first overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft due to his impressive college career at Stanford University. Appel had a strong track record of pitching success, including being a two-time Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and leading Stanford to the College World Series.
After being drafted by the Houston Astros in 2013, Appel struggled in his early minor league career, posting an ERA over 5.00 in his first two seasons. He showed improvement in 2015 and 2016, however, before struggling again in 2017. Overall, he had a minor league career ERA of 5.06 before returning to the Phillies in 2022.
In addition to Mark Appel, the Phillies released several other players during the offseason, including outfielder Matt Joyce, catcher Jeff Mathis, and pitcher Brad Hand. These moves were part of the team’s efforts to clear roster spots and create financial flexibility for future transactions.
It’s possible that the Phillies could sign additional players before the season starts, particularly if injuries or performance issues arise during spring training. However, the team seems relatively satisfied with its current roster and may not make any major moves unless a significant opportunity arises.
Conclusion
The recent release of Mark Appel and the reassignment of other players to minor league camp show that the Philadelphia Phillies are focused on building a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
While Appel’s return to the team in 2022 was a positive step forward for his career, his struggles in his major-league debut and subsequent release suggest that the Phillies did not see him as part of their long-term plans.
The team’s decision to send other players down to the minors also reflects their emphasis on player development and building for the future. As the season approaches, it will be interesting to see how the Phillies’ roster continues to evolve and how the team performs on the field.
