Phillies Nation · May 10, 2021
Mark Appel makes season debut for Reading
Former first overall draft pick Mark Appel made his season debut for Double-A Reading on Saturday. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)After more than three years, Mark Appel can finally say he’s pitching in the pros once again.
The 2013 No. 1 overall draft pick made his first professional appearance since September of 2017 for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday night, tossing 2 2/3 innings and surrendering one run in a 6-4 win over the Erie SeaWolves at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Appel impressed at times and struggled a bit at others. That’ll happen with 44 months in between outings. The 29-year-old was just happy to be back out there.