Official Site of the Phillies · Feb 1, 2018
Former top pick Appel taking leave from game
Appel strikes out Frazier Right-hander Mark Appel, the No. 1 overall Draft pick in 2013, has decided to step away from baseball.
Appel told Bleacher Report in a story that appeared on Thursday that he plans to take an "indefinite break" from the game after another season lost to arm trouble, his fifth in the Minors. If his career is indeed over, Appel would become the third No. 1 overall pick to never appear in a Major League game, joining Brien Taylor (Yankees, 1991) and Steve Chilcott (Mets, 1966).
MLB.com confirmed that Appel recently notified the Phillies about his decision.