Watch: 2013 No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel makes scoreless MLB debut for Phillies
Nine years after being selected No. 1 overall, Mark Appel finally made his major league debut Wednesday night for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Appel took the mound for the top half of the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves.
After allowing a hit to William Contreras with one out in the inning, Appel notched his first career strikeout, setting down Adam Duvall looking. Appel next got Phil Gosselin to ground into a force out to end the inning.
Appel, 30, was drafted first overall by the Houston Astros in 2013 but never reached the majors. Already considered a bust by many, the Astros included Appel in a trade package for closer Ken Giles in 2015. In 2018, after spending three seasons in the minors, Appel decided to walk away from baseball.
Ahead of the 2021 season, Appel decided to make a comeback, pitching in 23 games for the Phillies' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates Reading and Lehigh Valley.
This season with Lehigh Valley, Appel has a 5-0 record with five saves and a 1.91 ERA in 28.0 innings.
Appel was called up to the major leagues by the Phillies on June 25.
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