Sports
Monte Vista Grad Mark Appel Picked First in MLB Draft
The Houston Astros selected Mark Appel with the No. 1 pick Thursday.
It was only four years ago Mark Appel's home pitching mound was at Monte Vista High. Soon, Appel will likely be pitching from mounds in major league parks, and he will do so as a No. 1 overall pick.
The Houston Astros picked the 2009 Monte Vista High graduate with its first pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft on Thursday.
Appel spent the last four years at Stanford, dominating college hitters. He finished his senior year with a 10-4 record and a 2.12 ERA.
The right hander was also selected in the 2012 draft, picked eight overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates.But Appel declined the Pirates offer and decided to return to college for his senior year.
In high school, Appel received several accolades while at Monte Vista including:
- Named one of the top-100 prep players in 2009 by Baseball America, Perfect Game, Rivals, Maxpreps and the Baseball Factory
- Named by the Contra Costa Times as the Prep Athlete of the Year in 2009 for both baseball and basketball
"This is just a surreal moment for me and my family," said Appel, according to ESPN. "Just knowing that I'm going back home is a real honor."
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