Phillies’ Appel (belatedly) joins No. 1 list
Mark Appel is proof that even for a No. 1 draft pick, the road to the major leagues is sometimes bumpy.
Appel was called up by the Phillies Saturday, nine years after he was drafted first overall by Houston. In between, he bounced around the minors, was traded in the 2015 deal that sent Ken Giles to the Astros, and even quit baseball for a bit.
He resurfaced last year and finally joined the Phillies this weekend, although he hasn’t pitched yet. If the 30-yearold does appear, he’ll be the fourth No. 1 overall selection to make his major league debut this year, joining 2017’s Royce Lewis (Twins), 2019’s Adley Rutschman (Orioles) and 2020’s Spencer Torkelson (Tigers).
In only one other season have four top picks made their debuts. That was in 1989, when Andy Benes, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jeff King — picked first each of the previous three years — began their big league careers along with 1989 top choice Ben McDonald.
With the draft coming up next month, are a few other notes about No. 1 overall picks, with help from Baseball-Reference.com:
There were two other seasons when three No. 1s debuted. Those were 2007 (Luke Hochevar, Justin Upton, Josh Hamilton) and 1987 (B.J. Surhoff, Shawn Abner, Tim Belcher).
Although it was once more common, McDonald is the last player to make his debut the same year he was drafted first overall. The longest wait belongs to Matt Bush, taken in 2004 by San Diego and finally pitching in the majors in 2016 for Texas. He’s still with the Rangers.
Appel is one of a handful of No. 1 picks who haven’t played in the majors. Steve Chilcott, picked in 1966 by the Mets, and Brien Taylor, taken by the Yankees in 1991, had injury problems. Brady Aiken, selected in 2014 by Houston, is a more recent example.
12 players banned for Mariners-Angels brawl
Los Angeles interim manager Phil Nevin was suspended 10 games and Seattle
Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker received a seven-game ban from MLB for their roles in a benchesclearing brawl Sunday.
Nevin and Winker were two of 12 individuals suspended between the teams.
Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford received five games, Angels pitchers Ryan Tepera and Andrew Wantz were suspended for three, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, Angels reliever Raisel Iglesias and major league interpreter Manny Del Campo received two games.
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, out for the rest of the season after wrist surgery, will be suspended five games when he returns from the injured list. He is prohibited from sitting on the bench for the next seven games.
Nevin received the suspension for Angels opener Wantz intentionally throwing at Winker while warnings were in place. Nevin made the late decision to pitch Wantz instead of scheduled starter Jose Suarez.
Nevin’s suspension began Monday against the Chicago White Sox. Bench coach Ray Montgomery, who received a two-game suspension, will manage in Nevin’s place. Montgomery and catching coach Bill Haselman (one game) will begin their bans after pitching coach Dom Chiti returns from his fivegame ban.
Royals ship Santana, cash to Seattle
KANSAS CITY, MO. » The Royals traded first baseman Carlos Santana and nearly $4.3 million to the Seattle Mariners for right-handers Wyatt Mills and William Fleming, clearing the way to bring up prospect Vinnie Pasquantino.
The Royals optioned Mills, a 27-year-old reliever, to Triple-A Omaha while designating right-hander Ronald Bolaños for assignment. Fleming, a 23-year-old with starting potential, was assigned to ClassA Quad Cities.
This is the second time Santana has been with Seattle. The first lasted a mere 10 days, acquired along with J.P. Crawford from the Phillies for infielder Jean Segura, right-hander Juan Nicasio, and left-hander James Pazos on Dec. 3, 2018; the Mariners traded him away as part of a three-team deal with Cleveland and Tampa Bay.
Mets Megill moved to 60-day IL
NEW YORK » New York Mets pitcher Tyler Megill will be out until at least mid-August, the team moving him to the 60-day injured list.
The 26-year-old righthander was put on the 15-day IL June 17 because of a strained shoulder, joining Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. The Mets said at the time Megill would not throw for four weeks.