Mark Appel

[gunnarthor]

1-4, 8.91 era in A+ ball. He's only striking out 7.2 per nine (17% of batters he faces). A lot of players struggle adapting to pro ball but this is insane. I don't think I can remember a top college arm drafted this high struggle this much.

[Brandon]

Didn't Houston put him on the DL so he can work on his issues? Also I think I read that he didn't have great secondary pitches to go with his great straight fast ball.

[gunnarthor]

Didn't Houston put him on the DL so he can work on his issues? Also I think I read that he didn't have great secondary pitches to go with his great straight fast ball.

 

He was sent back to EST for a while but he's been back for a while and still looking pretty bad. Heard the same thing about his fastball.

[twinsfanstreif]

The first time I saw Appel on youtube and he was the consensus #1 pick I didn't get it. I saw a guy with no movement on his FB and he gave up way too many hits. I thought he could maybe develop into a solid pitch to contact #2 with a floor of a #5 guy. He didn't seem to overwhelm hitters in college but I didn't think he'd be this bad. I'm glad we dodged that bullet for sure

[gunnarthor]

Somehow it got worse. He's now 1-5 w/10.80 era in A+ ball. 66 hits in 37 innings. 33 strike outs. The Astros have become an absolute train wreck. I can't look away.

[h2oface]

Appel is becoming a worse story than Shooter Hunt.

[Mike Sixel]

I'll take that bet. he is one of the smallest stadiums there is. I'll take a bet right now that he makes the majors, and for more than a cup of coffee. Any takers?

[tobi0040]

The first time I saw Appel on youtube and he was the consensus #1 pick I didn't get it. I saw a guy with no movement on his FB and he gave up way too many hits. I thought he could maybe develop into a solid pitch to contact #2 with a floor of a #5 guy. He didn't seem to overwhelm hitters in college but I didn't think he'd be this bad. I'm glad we dodged that bullet for sure

 

Not the first time people have said his pitches lack movement. Scouts were always puzzled between his stuff and his numbers. He had a good 5th year in college, but his 3rd and 4th years his numbers were not head and shoulders above the other guys, even though scouts loved his stuff. Always been a question, I am guessing he lacks movement, deception, or tips his pitches. None of those are good.

[gunnarthor]

I'll take that bet. he is one of the smallest stadiums there is. I'll take a bet right now that he makes the majors, and for more than a cup of coffee. Any takers?

Klaw tweeted that the Astros should demote him, promote him or rest him but apparently get him out of that park.

[Thrylos]

He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday.

 

And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story.

 

Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 K

This season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K

 

what the difference?

 

Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP

This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP

 

2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season)

 

I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros

[tobi0040]

He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday.

 

And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story.

 

Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 K

This season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K

 

what the difference?

 

Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP

This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP

 

2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season)

 

I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros

 

I am not given up on him, but I have others rated much higher at this point. The 9 HR is a concern, not a ball hit right at someone verus not issue....

[gunnarthor]

He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday.

 

And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story.

 

Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 K

This season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K

 

what the difference?

 

Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP

This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP

 

2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season)

 

I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros

While I agree he isn't done, looking just at stats to evaluate a 23 year old 1-1 pick in high A ball isn't ideal. The scouting reports have been pretty bad, too. Right now, I think Scott Baker career would be a nice return on Appel.

[Pius Jefferson]

It's hard to have much confidence in a guy who can't adapt to a tough pitching environment. His performance certainly doesn't warrant a promotion and demoting him gets things back square one.