After 9 years, Mark Appel is set to make Major League debut, Connor Brogdon heads to COVID IL

After nine years, former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel has been called up to the big leagues. He will join the Phillies on Saturday in San Diego as Connor Brogdon heads to the COVID-19 injured list, which I had no idea still existed.

Appel was taken first overall in the 2013 MLB Draft and was one of only three first-overall picks in baseball history to not make it to the show. He left baseball in 2018 after struggling to perform well with both the Astros and Phillies. He then returned to the Phillies last year and still struggled, going 3-6 with a 6.06 ERA in 23 appearances.

Mark Appel Dominant in Lehigh Valley

This year, Appel has been dominant in Triple A. He leaves Lehigh Valley with a 5-0 record and a 1.61 ERA in 19 appearances, striking out 24 and walking eight. 

Mark Appel finished off a clean ninth inning with a strikeout on that hard-biting slider last night. He was pitching for the second time in three days. It feels like they’re getting him ready for a call up. He’s allowed 1 hit and 0 runs with 7 Ks & 2 BB in his last 6 outings pic.twitter.com/YXpMEjfPV7

— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) June 24, 2022

Up Next for the Phillies

The Phillies are back for game three of four today against the San Diego Padres. Zach Eflin is on the mound going up against Blake Snell.

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports