UPDATE 5:15 PM: Jon Heyman has a statement from Mark Appel:
“After much thought, prayer & analysis of both opportunities, I came to the conclusion the best decision is to remain at Stanford continuing my studies, finishing my degree & doing all I can to assist the Cardinal baseball team in our goal to win nat. championship”
UPDATE 5:13 PM: Neal Huntington issued a statement via press release:
“We were unable to reach an agreement with first round selection Mark Appel and bring him into our already strong organization.
“Our final offer exceeded the available bonus pool money and was essentially up to the last dollar we could offer prior to falling into the second tier penalty which would have resulted in the loss of a first round draft selection. While, as we have shown in past years, we are willing to be aggressive with our financial offer, we simply did not feel it was in the best interest of the organization to forfeit our first round selection in the 2013 amateur draft.
“Selecting Mark was a calculated risk, as we knew he would be a difficult sign. As an organization, we need to continue to take these types of calculated risks. While we would’ve preferred to add Mark to the group of talented prospects in our system, we wish Mark, and his family, nothing but success in the future.
“We were able to add quality talent and depth from this year’s draft. We look forward to having the ninth selection in the 2013 draft as compensation for the non-signing of Mark, in addition to our conventional pick in the first round and beyond, to continue to further strengthen the talent level within our system.”
5:04 PM: According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Pittsburgh Pirates did not sign first round pick Mark Appel. No word yet on other picks who may have signed.
The Pirates will get the 9th overall pick in the 2013 draft. They’ll also get extra bonus money for that pick. In order to draft Appel again, they’ll have to get him to sign a waiver.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
A minor setback. We move on and continue to build.
I hope he drops Boras. What use is a High-profile agent to these draftable players now? And a what if he falls to 9 next year? Sign for slot, sucker…
Oh well, the Bucs have a shot at having 3 of the top 40 or so picks next year. Frankly, I’d rather have three SS prospects in the organization right now than Appel.
So Boras lost him 5 mil, and he just lost himself another 2 probably. Hello 5 grand next year, a la stallings this year. Lol
isn’t greed one of the seven deadly sins?
Appel is a Boras client. The only thing that matters is money. Not sure this decision helps him financially but so be it. He sure is taking a big gamble though.
My hope is that Appel is on the board when the Pirates choose at #9 next year.
Whatever.
I was thinking about this Tim…if 3,4,5 teams after the Bucs would have passed on Appel, do you think he would have gone undrafted in this system? I
Did he really just turn down almost $4 million to play baseball?!?!?! It would be the classy thing to do to wish him luck, but someone that arrogant, foolish or stupid (you pick) doesn’t deserve good luck.
Oh well. It would’ve been great to sign him, but if he wants to finish college that’s fine with me. Getting a top 10 pick next year is great consolation.
““After much thought, prayer & analysis of both opportunities…” Am I the only one glad we didn’t sign the Tebow of Stanford baseball? I don’t say anything about religion, as people are free to do what they want, but it rubs me the wrong way when people throw it in your face constantly
“After much thought,prayer & analysis of both opportunities”
Man, he Really threw religon in you’re face didn’t he?
If he signed with the Pirates would you’re focus really be on his religon?
Here’s my msg to Mr Appel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5QGkOGZubQ&NR=1&feature=endscreen
HAHAHA, a fantastic message Lee
I do not understand…he has no leverage next year I hope next year he gets nothing as well…
Wow, I really thought it would get done… oh well.
so did I….good luck next year Mr Appel….you dummy! Hope you don’t blow out your arm or have a bad year. Better hope that CWS pounding wasn’t an aberration!
If he has a decent year again next year it wouldn’t surprise me if he went first overall. Who wouldn’t want a potential front line starter for 500k?
Yeah….he’s going to be a Senior. What options does he have other than to go to Independent Ball? His advisor Borasinine screwed him royally.