With the eighth selection in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Mark Appel. However, Appel did not sign with the Pirates and he re-entered the draft in 2013.
In 2013, the Houston Astros drafted Mark Appel with the first overall selection. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Phillies following the 2015 season. After never reaching the Major Leagues with the Phillies, Appel was designated for assignment on Monday evening.
Should the Pirates take a gamble on Mark Appel? Since he has not even yet started his arbitration clock – yes, yes they should.