More than nine years after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, pitcher Mark Appel will finally get his chance to be a big leaguer.
Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson announced that Appel will join the team at Petco Park on Saturday for the third game of a four-game series against the Padres. Philadelphia lost right-hander and setup man Connor Brogdon to the COVID-19 injured list, leaving a spot open for the 30-year-old rookie.
Prior to his call up Saturday, Appel was one of just three No. 1 picks in baseball history—along with Brien Taylor (Yankees, 1991) and Steven Chilcott (Mets, 1966)—to not make it to the big leagues.