Special to The Detroit News
Mark Appel, now a Phillies pitcher who 10 years ago was the first-overall pick in the MLB Draft, will be the featured speaker at Young Life Grosse Pointe’s annual fund-raiser, 6 p.m., Wednesday at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
Appel was drafted by the Tigers in 2009, but instead enrolled at Stanford, where he starred, earning him status as the 2013 Draft’s No. 1 pick, by the Astros.
Appel’s story ultimately became a cruel but inspiring journey — filled with injury and failure — before he at last reached the big leagues last year with Philadelphia.