Mark Appel Tracker

MARK APPEL
RHP, Stanford
Age: 20
Born: July 15, 1991
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Class: Junior
Level: NCAA

Advisor: N/A

Links:

All Mark Appel Posts

SCOUTING REPORT
One of the downsides to the early season success for the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates was that it put them out of their usual position at the top of the draft boards, which will make it nearly impossible to land a guy like Appel. The 6′ 5″ right hander is the top prospect in the draft, and has drawn comparisons to Justin Verlander.

Appel throws his fastball in the 92-95 MPH range, and has touched 98-99 with Team USA. He throws a hard slider and a circle changeup. His fastball is currently a plus pitch, and he’s got a lot of potential with the other two pitches.

Appel has had similar problems to what Gerrit Cole saw in college. His stuff makes him a potential ace down the road, but he’s elevated his fastball and over-thrown his pitches in college, which has resulted in him being too hittable. He’s fallen from the consensus number one prospect in the draft, but he’s still almost a lock to go in the top five, which makes it unlikely that he falls to the Pirates with the eighth overall pick.

PREVIOUS DRAFT HISTORY
2009: Selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 15th round, 450th overall.
2012 DRAFT RANKINGS
Baseball America: #4 (4/11/2012)
Jonathan Mayo: #2 (5/1/2012)
Keith Law: #3 (4/10/2012)
STATS