2013 Draft Discussion

[davell]

Do you want the guy with two plus pitches and an average third or the guy with a plus pitch and two above average ones? This is kind of the true debate between Gray and Appel, isn't it?

[Guest]

Do you want the guy with two plus pitches and an average third or the guy with a plus pitch and two above average ones? This is kind of the true debate between Gray and Appel, isn't it?

 

But there are other variables - Appel is more advanced than Gray, Appel has more miles on his arm, can Gray maintain his recent increase in velocity, etc?

[bigkid66]

I think I'd take the guy who has shown it longer and has better command, which I think is Appel?? I'd put lower injury risk as the biggest factor but I'm not convinced that's scoutable.

[illiniguy]

We probably won't have a choice. I'll be thrilled with either guy.

[Guest]

Jonathon Crawford vs Aaron Nola is on ESPNU right now.

[Guest]

Kendall Rogers' interview with Mark Appel:

 

Kendall Rogers: Overall, at this point in the season, how would you kind of assess your senior campaign thus far?

 

Mark Appel: I think I've been going in the right direction for sure. I think each year, I try to take a step forward in some form or fashion. As far as my own development, that's in the field, just being a better teammate in general and leading by example. I feel like i've taken another step forward overall and just hope to keep doing things right as the season progresses.

 

Rogers: How do you feel you've evolved as a pitcher since the time you arrived at Stanford?

 

Appel: I guess I've always seen myself as just a pitcher that wants to go out there and give the team as many innings as I possibly can until coach comes out there and takes the ball from me. As far as becoming more of a strikeout pitcher, that's kind of the step i've been taking over the last year. The big difference from last year to this year in terms of strikeouts is just locating my pitches. I've really been working on staying down in the strike zone, and honestly, that's something our entire pitching staff has emphasized all-season long. I've really been working hard, specifically, on throwing my fastball down in the zone, and that tends to make the changeup and slider more effective.

 

Stanford's Mark Appel hopes to end 2013 with a bang. (Stanford photo)

 

Rogers: When I saw you pitch at Rice a couple of years ago, you really emphasized needing to improve the changeup. Over the past year or so, how has that pitch developed?

 

Appel: As far as how it has progressed, it's a great pitch for me right now. It's something I feel very comfortable with in any count, and it has become one of those pitches, where if you can throw it with some accuracy, it allows some ground balls, and typically some very quick innings. It has really turned into a big strikeout pitch, especially against left-handed hitters.

 

Rogers: Going into that Rice game earlier this year, you talked a lot about wanting to throw inside more this season. How has that progressed since that trip to Houston?

 

Appel: When someone asks me about that game, I just now say that it's the best thing that ever happened to me this season. it fueled my fire and really got me going for the rest of the season. I kind of took that game, as I do every game, and evaluated it on my own. I just tried to be honest with myself, and I didn't think I competed very well against Rice. I thought I felt a little entitled out there, that I just expected to win because I showed up on the mound. The reality of this game is that it's one of failure, and I got humbled pretty quickly this season. In that series, and as well as in Pac-12 play, you better be ready to pitch each week, and to do so every single pitch. As for throwing inside more, I feel like my command has gotten better with that philosophy each game. It has been really effective, and it's one of those things that if you continue doing it, you gain more confidence, then it becomes like second nature. It's been a really good progression, and it was something I really would've liked to try to do more last season, but we were in so many tight games, there weren't many situations to do so. It's been great this season, though.

 

Rogers: You've had a great year, but as a competitive pitcher, you always have something you want to get better at. What's that one thing for you?

 

Appel: I think, looking at myself, like people say, I think I've had a pretty good year, but there's still a lot to learn and a lot to work on moving forward. I know I can throw my fastball inside a lot better, and in that aspect of my game, I'm not where I want to be just yet, I'm not at the peak of my game just yet. The good thing is that despite needing to work on that, I'm still having success and that's validation that I'm on the right path. Coach Rusty Filter has been great for me, and a lot of guys on our pitching staff have also been helping me out, while having my back in games.

 

Rogers: With Stanford sitting at 24-15 overall, 9-9 in the Pac-12, and with an iffy RPI, what are your overall thoughts on the team heading down the stretch?

 

Appel: It has certainly been an up and down year thus far, but I feel like it's something i'm used to in my four years here. You just kind of see that happen sometimes. It has been a weird season in the sense that we've swept some teams and then been swept by teams we shouldn't be getting swept by. For us, it's just more about being more consistent down the stretch. For us, it shouldn't be about playing to someone else's level of competition, it should be up to us to play to the level that we can. The key for us down the stretch is literally just taking things pitch by pitch and game by game. We can't think right now about, oh, if we take two of three from Arizona State and Oregon State, we'll do this and that. That just seems overwhelming. If we honestly think we're giving 100 percent the final weeks of the season, I think we'll be where we want to be.

 

Rogers: I always like to ask players this. From a pitching standpoint, who's a guy you grew up admiring and wanting to pitch like in the future?

 

Appel: You know, some guys I like to watch right now, Detroit's Justin Verlander definitely is one of those guys. His mentality out there and the way he attacks better out there is just impressive. I enjoy looking at old footage of Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens a little bit, too. I just like guys who are bulldogs out on the mound. Those guys make no excuses, they just go out there and do their best, while also being pretty good team players.

 

Rogers: As a native Texan and looking ahead to the draft, would it be extra special for you to be the top overall pick to the Houston Astros, or not really any different than anyone else?

 

Appel: You know, I think it would be a great honor. The fact that it would be the Astros, a team I grew up rooting for and dreaming of playing for someday, it would definitely be pretty special. But as I learned last year, a lot of it is out of your control and you can't let those things affect your thinking process. My family is now back in Houston, so that'd be awesome, but I'm not going to force a fantasy, and I won't be upset if the Astros don't take me. I am a person with an opportunity to play baseball for a living, whether it's in Houston or Chicago, or even Pittsburgh, or wherever. I really enjoyed my four years at Stanford, and I basically got to play baseball as a job while getting a degree from a place like Stanford. This all is an amazing blessing, and it's been a long ride. But man, it has been a fun one.

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=8376

[RammyFanny]

Do you want the guy with two plus pitches and an average third or the guy with a plus pitch and two above average ones? This is kind of the true debate between Gray and Appel, isn't it?

 

But there are other variables - Appel is more advanced than Gray, Appel has more miles on his arm, can Gray maintain his recent increase in velocity, etc?

Depends how far back you want to go, but Appel pitched out of the bullpen in highschool and out of the pen his freshman year for Stanford. It's pretty likely Gray has more mileage despite some occasional high pitch counts for Appel last year. Kind of semantics though, and depends if you think recent mileage is more of a concern than past mileage.

Edited May 3, 2013 by RammyFanny

[RammyFanny]

I've changed my mind about 10 times already for who I want, which at least means there probably won't be a choice that makes me mad come draft day. I'm kinda sorta leaning Bryant. After leaning Frazier, Appel, Gray, Appel, Bryant, Gray. Who knows where i'll end up in a month.

[davell]

I have not and will not veer away from Appel/Gray or Gray/Appel. I think Bryant, Moran, Frazier, and Meadows are all solid in different ways, but none scream out as "gotta have" to me. Perfect world-take the stud position player over the stud pitcher. To me, we're lucky we've got a choice of two stud pitchers, I just don't see the stud hitter.

[RammyFanny]

I have not and will not veer away from Appel/Gray or Gray/Appel. I think Bryant, Moran, Frazier, and Meadows are all solid in different ways, but none scream out as "gotta have" to me. Perfect world-take the stud position player over the stud pitcher. To me, we're lucky we've got a choice of two stud pitchers, I just don't see the stud hitter.

I can't argue with you, honestly I think I let the brief firestorm of Strasburg forearm tightness last night remind me about the fragility of pitchers more than I should have.

[Guest]

Don't forget Mark Appel vs Trevor Williams will be on ESPNU tomorrow at 9 PM CT. Ryan Eades and LSU will be on ESPN3 at 6:30 PM CT tomorrow.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Don't forget Mark Appel vs Trevor Williams will be on ESPNU tomorrow at 9 PM CT

 

DVR set. Thanks.

[Guest]

There's no way Stewart falls like that, right? Personally, I still don't know which of Gray or Appel I'd prefer.

 

I don't think he will but if he falls a little, there comes a point (say around 1.15?) where teams no longer can afford what he'll ask for with his Texas A&M football commitment. At that point, he just might free fall.

[davell]

There's no way Stewart falls like that, right? Personally, I still don't know which of Gray or Appel I'd prefer.

 

I don't think he will but if he falls a little, there comes a point (say around 1.15?) where teams no longer can afford what he'll ask for with his Texas A&M football commitment. At that point, he just might free fall.

I really want a comp pick to jump ahead of them. Someone will drop that makes it worthwhile to move ahead of Houston.

[imb]

Ed (San Mateo)

 

 

Ok, its May now. When do you expect your first mock draft to be published?

Klaw

(1:10 PM)

 

 

Week after next. Right now, I'd project the top five to go Gray, Appel, Bryant, Manaea, Moran. Most people I talk to expect the Astros to try to cut a deal with Gray to use the extra money on someone who falls at 40, like Stewart.

[Guest]

Ed (San Mateo)

 

 

Ok, its May now. When do you expect your first mock draft to be published?

Klaw

(1:10 PM)

 

 

Week after next. Right now, I'd project the top five to go Gray, Appel, Bryant, Manaea, Moran. Most people I talk to expect the Astros to try to cut a deal with Gray to use the extra money on someone who falls at 40, like Stewart.

 

If only someone had posted this yesterday.

[imb]

just reiterating it

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Mark Appel about to pitch on ESPNU. According to K Law, Cubs' brass in attendance:

 

keithlaw ‏@keithlaw 2m

I believe the Astros have four guys here. Hoyer and Bush here from the Cubs. Saw at least three other teams' scouting directors too.

[Gilby]

I don't care for the baggy pants + stirrups look ASU is showing.

[Guest]

I don't care for the baggy pants + stirrups look ASU is showing.

I don't care for ASU, period.

[Redfoot]

Appel is flat out nasty. I absolutely love this guy.

[Guest]

Wish I had ESPN U. How's his stuff looking?

[Guest]

Wish I had ESPN U. How's his stuff looking?

 

Dynamite stuff, the FB and SL have looked good. Still hitting 95 in the 7th as he approaches his 90th pitch. Just struck 7 in a row.

 

The 2 runs he gave up came after the ump screwed him out of a strikeout on the previous pitch.

[Guest]

Wish I had ESPN U. How's his stuff looking?

 

Dynamite stuff, the FB and SL have looked good. Still hitting 95 in the 7th as he approaches his 90th pitch. Just struck 7 in a row.

 

The 2 runs he gave up came after the ump screwed him out of a strikeout on the previous pitch.

 

Nice. How good is ASU?

[Guest]

Wish I had ESPN U. How's his stuff looking?

 

Dynamite stuff, the FB and SL have looked good. Still hitting 95 in the 7th as he approaches his 90th pitch. Just struck 7 in a row.

 

The 2 runs he gave up came after the ump screwed him out of a strikeout on the previous pitch.

 

Nice. How good is ASU?

 

Baseball America ranks them #8.