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Phillies Release Mark Appel

By Darragh McDonald | March 20, 2023 at 1:01pm CDT

The Phillies announced today that right-hander Mark Appel has been released. He had been in camp on a minor league deal. They also reassigned left-hander Ben Bowden, right-hander Louis Head and catcher Max McDowell to minor league camp.

Appel, 31, had been having a rough showing this spring. In six appearances, he allowed six walks and ten hits, including three home runs. He did record five strikeouts, but the seven earned runs in 5 2/3 innings led to an ERA of 11.12.

The righty was looking continue a nice comeback story from last year. The first overall pick from the 2013 draft, taken by the Astros, Appel was a mainstay of top prospect lists for a few years. He was traded to the Phillies prior to the 2016 season in the deal that sent Ken Giles to Houston. Unfortunately, his results in the minors didn’t live up to his prospect pedigree, with elbow and shoulder injuries hampering his progress.

He walked away from the game after the 2017 season, candidly discussing his physical and mental struggles with Joon Lee of Bleacher Report at that time, admitting that he might be the worst draft bust in MLB history. “It depends on how you define it, but I probably am,” Appel said. “I had high expectations. I didn’t live up to those for a number of reasons. If you want to call me the biggest draft bust, you can call it that. … If I never get to the big leagues, will it be a disappointment? Yes and no. That was a goal and a dream I had at one point, but that’s with stipulations that I’m healthy, I’m happy and doing something I love. If I get to the big leagues, what’s so great about the big leagues if you’re in an isolated place, you’re hurt and you’re emotionally unhappy? How much is that worth to you?”

In 2021, he began a comeback attempt, returning to the Phillies. He only posted a 6.06 ERA in the minors that year, but it would be fair to expect a bit of rust after three years without any organized game action. He was much better last year, posting a 1.61 ERA in Triple-A through the end of June. Amazingly, his comeback attempt resulted in him finally getting to the majors. The Phillies selected him to the roster on June 25 and he was able to make six appearances for the club, with a 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. Some elbow inflammation put him on the injured list in September and ended his season, but he had made it to the show.

After the season, he was outrighted off the roster but returned to the Phillies on a minor league deal. Unfortunately, he’s hit another setback here in spring and has been set loose. Appel took to Twitter recenty to publicly ruminate about his current position, bringing the same kind of candidness he showed when walking away from the game all those years ago. It doesn’t appear he’s planning to walk away right now, but he is remarkably self-aware of the fact that he may have exhausted his opportunities.

“I am a 31-year-old rookie relief pitcher with 6 MLB appearances to my name,” he says in the thread. “I’m not on the 40-man roster. I’m a career 5+ minor league ERA pitcher with a history of injuries. All logic suggests the odds are not in my favor.” He continues: “The reality is I am one of a large number of players that find themselves in this “in-between” space. Good enough to help a big league team (in a small role) if given the opportunity, but too old or lacking experience for teams to be patient. The future is wildly uncertain.” Appel goes on to get into detail about his approach to battling the anxiety that comes with his precarious position and trying to lean into feelings of gratitude instead. “Gratitude lets me focus on the little things I get to do every day, despite not knowing what the future holds.”

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Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Mark Appel

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View Comments (38)
Post a Comment

38 Comments

  1. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    🙁

    9
    Reply
  2. VonPurpleHayes

    2 years ago

    He performed rather well recently, but never really given much of an opportunity in high-leverage situations. Worth taking a flier on IMO.

    10
    Reply
  3. wmurphy24

    2 years ago

    Still rooting for you, Mark!

    19
    Reply
  4. positively_broad_st

    2 years ago

    Maybe the Dodgers should take a flier on Appel on a minor league deal. They have a pretty good track record of getting the most out of a pitcher…

    4
    Reply
  5. wesleyisme

    2 years ago

    Come to Oakland, Mark!

    3
    Reply
  6. Woods Rider

    2 years ago

    What a shame. I was really excited when the Phillies brought him back on a minors deal. I truly hope he lands on his feet with another club and continues his journey.

    Best of luck to him.

    15
    Reply
  7. KermitJagger

    2 years ago

    That makes me sad reading what he wrote. Yes he’s been very fortunate and made a lot of money but it still must be tough. Seems like he has matured a lot from when he came in to the league.

    9
    Reply
  8. wallabeechamp

    2 years ago

    I really appreciate the young man’s candidness regarding his current career opportunities. Hope that he gets another crack at living out his dream. Seems like a perfect candidate for a Dodgers reclamation project…

    4
    Reply
  9. woodhead1986

    2 years ago

    I really hope he writes a book. Seems like a guy who could really add something meaningful to the baseball discourse and the greater conversation of life/health/happiness.

    10
    Reply
  10. Ezall98

    2 years ago

    He was able to make it back to baseball after leaving due to immense pressure and expectations; my hats off to him for being able to do that.

    8
    Reply
  11. Hired Gun 23

    2 years ago

    Pitcher/mentor role for him in a minor league bullpen would seem to be the best fit. So many organizations could use a player as such and if he happens to regain what got him to the bigs last year…it’s a bonus.

    5
    Reply
  12. Sunday Lasagna

    2 years ago

    Just another reason why trading 3 or 4 prospects for a proven major leaguer happens so often. Scouting is a crapshoot. So many high draft picks and top 100 prospects never make the majors or amount to very unimpressive at the major league level.

    3
    Reply
  13. bucsfan

    2 years ago

    Kudos to him for being self aware and honest at this point in his life/career. I’m glad he got the help he needed and will hopefully continue in a good headspace. All of that said, I’ll never forget his attitude when the Pirates drafted him (the year before the Astros) and his negotiations with the organization. Obviously worked out for him the next year (went from 8th overall to 1st), but could never root for him. Also glad the Pirates dodged the bullet in the long run, though hindsight is undefeated.

    9
    Reply
    • Kruk's Beer League

      2 years ago

      True brilliance on his part however. He waited it out and netted more than an additional $2.5 million as a result. He should be set for life. It was a great move considering how his career turned out.

      10
      Reply
  14. Cleon Jones

    2 years ago

    Sounds like a guy who has earned his wisdom the hard way, which is the only way really. Refeshing to hear the honesty and self-reflection. I hope he gets another chance somewhere. Mets apparently need reinforcements in the ‘pen……just sayin…..

    6
    Reply
  15. jt33nym

    2 years ago

    Best of luck to him in whatever’s next. Easy guy to root for.

    6
    Reply
  16. aragon

    2 years ago

    if i knew what i know then……

    Reply
  17. For Love of the Game

    2 years ago

    Bagged a $6.35 mill. signing bonus; after taxes maybe $3.75 mill. He could live comfortably off that the rest of his life drawing $175k a year. And that’s if he never makes it back to MLB and choses not to pursue another career.

    3
    Reply
    • Herc33

      2 years ago

      That signing bonus was 10 years ago and he was drawing a MiLB salary for the vast majority of the past decade so he’s probably had to eat into that signing bonus money already somewhat.

      Not saying he’s broke or anything like that, no idea about his finances, I’m just thinking with a decade of minor league salaries he likely hasn’t really been making much money during that time period. Spotrac has him at $99K for the time he was up with Philly last year. Just pulling in league minimum for a year or two would make a huge difference in lifetime earnings.

      3
      Reply
  18. Kewldood69

    2 years ago

    The Appel doesn’t fall far from the tree

    2
    Reply
  19. harrycarey

    2 years ago

    His Twitter comments are always an interesting and education into himself. Worth the follow, j just hope and pray more young people learn some of the lessons he talks about. Life is a journey and may he and all find their true happiness

    2
    Reply
  20. harrycarey

    2 years ago

    His Twitter comments are always interesting and education into his mindset. Worth the follow, j just hope and pray more young people learn some of the lessons he talks about. Life is a journey and may he and all find their true happiness

    Reply
  21. THEY LIVE!!!

    2 years ago

    “Gratitude lets me focus on the little things I get to do every day, despite not knowing what the future holds.”
    AMEN Brother!!!

    5
    Reply
  22. bhambrave

    2 years ago

    If he chooses against continuing to pitch, I hope he goes into coaching/managing. Someone with his life experiences could contribute a lot.

    3
    Reply
  23. joes-6

    2 years ago

    Go find a job

    1
    Reply
  24. LFGMets (Metsin7)

    2 years ago

    I feel so bad for the guy. He only made 6 million dollars and he got to retire early. Wow they should make a movie about his sad story. 6 million to do nothing. Oh the horror. The reason why hes gonna be out of baseball is because once he got his signing bonus, he basically thought that he “made it” and stopped putting in the work/gave it his all. Dudes a bum that plays the victim card any chance he gets

    3
    Reply
    • bhambrave

      2 years ago

      Typical Mets fan.

      6
      Reply
      • Bill M

        2 years ago

        Not really. I think many of the Mets fans on this site can’t stand this guy.

        2
        Reply
        • LFGMets (Metsin7)

          2 years ago

          @Bill M I would say around 70% of the Met fans on this site are delusional. I’m the type of person that is real about my team, that I know my team can be better if they make certain moves. Any team can improve. I don’t see how its possible to spend $400 million on a team that will most likely finish with around 85 wins. Bullpen is the worst in the league, rotation is old/injury prone/Carrasco shouldn’t be pitching in the major leagues, and the hitting is around average. The Braves, Phillies, and Padres made moves this offseason that I liked. Mets didn’t make a single move I agreed with. They spend 400 million incorrectly, and it shows. What 400 million team has a 40 year old closing for them, you would think there wouldnt be one but there is

          Reply
        • bhambrave

          2 years ago

          @Bill: I should have said Stereotypical Mets Fan. LFGMets fits the image that people have of Mets fans. I’m sure most of them are very nice.

          Reply
  25. greatgame 2

    2 years ago

    The worst 1st round (1st) pick ever

    2
    Reply
    • Brewers39

      2 years ago

      Brien Taylor said “hold my beer”.
      Actually, that might really be true in his case, lol.

      2
      Reply
    • Phillls

      2 years ago

      Not really. There have been several others worse

      Reply
  26. nailz#4life

    2 years ago

    I wonder how many people paid big $$ for his rookie baseball cards. I guess you can trade them for a Polonco or Mazara card and try to break even….lol

    Reply
  27. jorge78

    2 years ago

    Good Luck Mark!

    Reply
  28. tylerdurden412

    2 years ago

    that’s what he gets for spurning the Pirates back in 2012. They are a world class organization with superior player development. Appel would have been an all star for years to come if he had only signed in 2012

    Reply
  29. SportsFan0000

    2 years ago

    Some team that is rebuilding and “not going anywhere this year” should take a flyer on him: A’s? Tigers? Royals, Nationals, Reds etc..

    Reply
  30. mario crosby

    2 years ago

    Appel is the kind of guy the dumpster diving Pirates would normally be all over. This is one of the exceptions.

    Reply

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