It's been a long time coming for Mark Appel. A right-handed pitcher who was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Stanford, Appel has finally been called up to the big leagues. With Connor Brogdon put on the COVID IL, the organization has promoted Appel from AAA Lehigh Valley.
Understandably, both Phillies fans and Appel himself are ecstatic at the news:
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Things began to click for Appel in 2022 though. The 30-year-old righty has been lights out as a reliever with the Iron Pigs. In 19 appearances (28 innings), he's sporting a 1.61 ERA, striking out 24 batters and walking just eight. It's been an incredible journey for Appel and with the Phils' bullpen in as bad of a condition as it is, perhaps this is just what both the Phillies and Appel need.
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