Phillies release former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday afternoon that RHP Mark Appel has been released by the team.

Seemingly aware of his baseball mortality, Appel put out a lengthy thread on Twitter Sunday, eventually announcing he had started a blog:

My Honest Reality
March 19, 2023

Welcome to the 2023 baseball season.

Opening Day is around the corner. Pitchers are almost ready. Position players are locked in. Fans share the optimism a new season brings.

But this isn't just another season.

This is likely my last.

— Mark Appel (@markappel26) March 18, 2023

The Houston Astros made Appel the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, a class that also included Kris Bryant, Tim Anderson and Aaron Judge.

Appel was acquired by the Phillies in a December 2015 trade that sent Ken Giles to Houston and also allowed the Phillies to land Vince Velasquez. It was the first trade of the Matt Klentak Era, and perhaps ended up defining the former general manager’s stint at the helm of the team.

For Mark Appel, ‘All of this is gravy’

After struggling physically in 2016 and 2017, Appel walked away from the sport. He returned in 2021, splitting the season between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley as a reliever. He finally made his Major League Debut in 2022 at the age of 30, posting a 1.74 ERA in six appearances for the Phillies.

It’s unclear at this time what Appel’s future in baseball is. He posted a 3.15 ERA in 31 games for the IronPigs in 2022, so one would think some organization would have interest in him as at least a Triple-A reliever.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. Phillies Nation Top 15 Prospects: March 2023
2. With Grand Slam, Trea Turner Has Full Circle Moment With Ken Griffey Jr.
3. Trea Turner Could Be First Phillie Since Juan Samuel To Steal 50 Bases
4. David Robertson Becomes Key Figure In NL East Race After Edwin Díaz Injury
5. Phillies Nuggets: Opening Day Lineup Projection 3.0
6. José Alvarado Talks Transformation, World Series, New Contract & More
7. Bryce Harper: ‘I Want To Play Well Into My 40s’
8. Report: Phillies Looking Outside Organization For Right-Handed Backup Outfielder
9. Rhys Hoskins Talks Playoff Memories, Team Confidence Heading Into 2023
10. Garrett Stubbs Bat-Spiked And DJ’d His Way To Fan Favorite Status In 2022. He’s Ready For ‘New Memories’ In 2023