For Your Consideration: Action Footage of Mark Appel’s Slider

As suggested by the 9.74 ERA he recorded over 44 innings in the California League this season — or even his most recent start in the Arizona Fall League, during which he conceded six runs over 4.0 innings — Houston right-hander Mark Appel’s professional career hasn’t been entirely free of difficulties. That he continues to exhibit promise, however, is still very much the case. And that he’s capable still of throwing a slider with what is known alternatively as “two plane break” and “furious pleasure” — that he’s capable of doing so is made evident by the footage above, of Appel throwing that same breaking pitch to Washington catcher prospect Spencer Kieboom in a different AFL game currently underway and available by way of MLB.com.





Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.

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Spencer Jonesmember
9 years ago

80 grade name right there.

Mark Appel, what a great name.

Steven
9 years ago
Reply to  Spencer Jones

Clearly someone needs to read Kiley McDaniel’s piece on the scouting scale explained again. Mark Appel is clearly only a 60 name with a 65 FV because he could change his middle name to “Banknotes.”

Steve
9 years ago
Reply to  Steven

I think the joke was on Kieboom there.

Stev
9 years ago
Reply to  Steve

There was no joke.

Steven
9 years ago
Reply to  Steve

D’oh! I guess the joke is on me.