July 5, 201412 yr 1-4, 8.91 era in A+ ball. He's only striking out 7.2 per nine (17% of batters he faces). A lot of players struggle adapting to pro ball but this is insane. I don't think I can remember a top college arm drafted this high struggle this much.
July 5, 201412 yr Didn't Houston put him on the DL so he can work on his issues? Also I think I read that he didn't have great secondary pitches to go with his great straight fast ball.
July 5, 201412 yr Author Didn't Houston put him on the DL so he can work on his issues? Also I think I read that he didn't have great secondary pitches to go with his great straight fast ball. He was sent back to EST for a while but he's been back for a while and still looking pretty bad. Heard the same thing about his fastball.
July 5, 201412 yr The first time I saw Appel on youtube and he was the consensus #1 pick I didn't get it. I saw a guy with no movement on his FB and he gave up way too many hits. I thought he could maybe develop into a solid pitch to contact #2 with a floor of a #5 guy. He didn't seem to overwhelm hitters in college but I didn't think he'd be this bad. I'm glad we dodged that bullet for sure
July 17, 201412 yr Author Somehow it got worse. He's now 1-5 w/10.80 era in A+ ball. 66 hits in 37 innings. 33 strike outs. The Astros have become an absolute train wreck. I can't look away.
July 17, 201412 yr I'll take that bet. he is one of the smallest stadiums there is. I'll take a bet right now that he makes the majors, and for more than a cup of coffee. Any takers?
July 17, 201412 yr The first time I saw Appel on youtube and he was the consensus #1 pick I didn't get it. I saw a guy with no movement on his FB and he gave up way too many hits. I thought he could maybe develop into a solid pitch to contact #2 with a floor of a #5 guy. He didn't seem to overwhelm hitters in college but I didn't think he'd be this bad. I'm glad we dodged that bullet for sure Not the first time people have said his pitches lack movement. Scouts were always puzzled between his stuff and his numbers. He had a good 5th year in college, but his 3rd and 4th years his numbers were not head and shoulders above the other guys, even though scouts loved his stuff. Always been a question, I am guessing he lacks movement, deception, or tips his pitches. None of those are good.
July 17, 201412 yr Author I'll take that bet. he is one of the smallest stadiums there is. I'll take a bet right now that he makes the majors, and for more than a cup of coffee. Any takers?Klaw tweeted that the Astros should demote him, promote him or rest him but apparently get him out of that park.
July 17, 201412 yr He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday. And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story. Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 KThis season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K what the difference? Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP 2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season) I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros
July 17, 201412 yr He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday. And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story. Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 KThis season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K what the difference? Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP 2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season) I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros I am not given up on him, but I have others rated much higher at this point. The 9 HR is a concern, not a ball hit right at someone verus not issue....
July 17, 201412 yr Author He is hurt. Wrist injury. Had cortisone shot yesterday. And this is another case that W-L record and ERA does not tell the story. Last season: 38 IP: 9 BB, 33 KThis season: 38.3 IP: 11 BB, 33K what the difference? Last season: 2 HRs, 1.184 WHIP This season: 9 HRs, 2.087 WHIP 2014 WHIP is BABIP-driven (ridiculous .426 BABIP this season) I would not give up on him just yet, or even better, I'd try to pluck them from the Astros While I agree he isn't done, looking just at stats to evaluate a 23 year old 1-1 pick in high A ball isn't ideal. The scouting reports have been pretty bad, too. Right now, I think Scott Baker career would be a nice return on Appel.
July 20, 201412 yr It's hard to have much confidence in a guy who can't adapt to a tough pitching environment. His performance certainly doesn't warrant a promotion and demoting him gets things back square one.
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