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This quote:
"I'm 26, I have a Stanford degree, I have many interests beyond baseball, which I still love, but I have a lot of things I care about," Appel says.
Makes me think he is going to be okay
This is an example of why "makeup" is such a critical factor in determining success at the highest level.
Picked Off posted:
Thank you for sharing. This story shows why it is important to raise kids to be well-rounded people and to teach resilience. When one door closes, another one opens, if you have an open mind and have diverse interests in life. He seems also to have a good support network - that is very important in dealing with major life transitions. This young man has a good head on his shoulders - best of luck to him as he navigates the next chapter in his life.
Had just finished reading the story while eating lunch. Yes it’s sad as well as inspirational. There are so many things we just can’t control. So many wise posters here have said only worry about what you can control. This is just another example of how right they are! This guy had / has all the talent in the world, but for whatever reason couldn’t put it all together. Nonetheless, he seems to be a fine young man with his head on right and will most likely be just fine.
I don't see it as "sad." More a story of someone who's succeeding in finding himself and what really matters to him.
Iowamom23 posted:I don't see it as "sad." More a story of someone who's succeeding in finding himself and what really matters to him.
Point well taken Iowamom23. I guess what I mean by "sad" is this young man somehow lost the ability to coral the enormous potential he obviously has. You don't get drafted #8 overall followed by #1 overall without unworldly talent / makeup / projection. He had it harnessed for 21 years, then something happened. He didn't stop doing what he had been doing to prepare. I guess as a parent I just hurt for this young man. It has to be such a punch in the gut to lie in your bed at night and let your mind start running. All the credit in the world to him and his family and support system to keep him sane and help him realize that there is more to life than just baseball. But that simple statement is so easy for us, who haven't walked in his shoes, to say. Imagine waking up tomorrow and not being able to do what you have done the past 20 years of your life. All the school, family sacrifice, long hours, etc that you bled and sweated to get to whatever place in life you are at this moment. Then suddenly, seemingly of no fault of your own, it just goes away. Not getting fired or losing your job to a medical issue. Simply being unable to perform the task and not knowing or understanding why. So maybe "sad" is not the appropriate word, but my feelings are the same.
Thanks for posting the article. I think it just shows that people change, and sometimes it is not easy to overcome failure. A few times, he mentioned the bad experience he had at his first stop, and another time, he mentioned what would have happened if the Cubs drafted him? Doesn't sound like he could ever get over that hump of initial failure. Being otherworldly talented, he probably had never experienced much failure, and he couldn't rebound from it.
This story shows what a tough job scouting must be. All the talent in the world, great kid, intelligent, but couldn't overcome failure. How do you project that for a kid who has probably never failed?
He seems to have a good head on shoulders, grad from Stanford, 6m bonus and is heading to grad school...maybe he didn't get the pot of gold the is MLB but if my sons were to so unfortunate of the next 6 years to 8 years I would be pretty damn proud and happy for them!!!
I just sent that to my 2022. He's reading it right now. We will discuss it in the truck on the way to practice in an hour or so.
Thanks for the post
I don't know. Coming out of HS he was ranked 75th by PG (www.perfectgame.org/Players/Pl...ofile.aspx?ID=150031), which would equate to about a 5th round draft pick (assuming half college, half high school picks). His first year at Stanford (2010) he threw 38 IP, 44 H, 19 BB, 26 SO, ERA of 5.92, WHIP of 1.66.
He overcame that and performed much better in college, improving every year. And he certainly *looked* like a top pick. But maybe to a certain extent he was mis-scouted? His ultimate outcome happens all the time to third, fourth, and fifth round picks . . .
I do wish him the best (and as a Phillies fan hope he decides to come back as a reliever and excels.)
Having a son that played professional ball and never made it to the top due to injury, I don't feel sad at all. No one realizes how very difficult this journey is, no matter how many chances you get or how much money your signing bonus was.
Just another example of how important an education is as well have having outside interests other than the job of baseball.
In reading thru some of the comments regarding Appel's talent and or make up.....Make no mistake people. Appel was the REAL DEAL. Kid pitched in the Pac12 and just made hitters look stupid . Holds all-time K record at Stanford .Big power guy. 6-5, 220 Mid to upper 90's FB w/attitude . Kid shoved. And that slider.........Wow. Just DEVASTATING. Make up ? Kid went to STANFORD And was Absolutely regarded as a high character guy
Appel was drafted twice in the 1st round back to back years. ......Scouts got it absolutely right based on the information at hand. It just didn't go well for Appel.
...Take a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pu_z3x7uU
I have to say the signing bonus goes a long way to ease the pain. How many kids do you know who come out of school debt free and with a good job offer? The count is fairly low I am sure, it is hard to exaggerate the size of his head start in life baseball has given him.
6m signing bonus = 3m after taxes - couple years living expenses = 2m probably more - 1m wasted on being young and dumb = 1m net worth assuming he invested none of it during a huge bull market and just parked in the bank...pretty solid for 26!!
Based on what I read and see of the young man I will take the over 1m if any one wants to make a small wager for fun!!
Regarding the "makeup" issue. The implication is not that he had a "moral" failing or even a character flaw. If you have watched Moneyball, there is a perfect illustration of why Billy B. failed as a player. He was finally able to admit that he was just simply NOT a "baseball player."
If you read the book he gives an example of how it can work for and against. He was playing with Lenny Dykstra in a Spring training game & they were both young, unproven players when Steve Carlton was warming up to face them. Dykstra says something like "who is this big dumb ass out on the hill?" Beane is like, "Lenny are you serious? that is Steve Carlton!" Lenny says, " Um, yeah I knew that, what's he got?" Beane," Serious heat & maybe the nastiest slider ever. He is a living legend." Dykstra sits there a minute...... and says, " S*#t, i'll stick him anyway."
None of this prevented Beane from going on to become one of the best GM's out there. He just did not have the "personality / makeup" to compete & succeed at the highest level as a player.
Dykstra, by most accounts, is a degenerate. Probably would have lasted at Stanford for about 2 weeks. But in terms of baseball "makeup," he was a 10.
I think having the money and the Stanford degree gave him the option of quitting with security. Nothing wrong with that, he just wasn't a guy who would put his body on the line for the sport. Maybe he just didn't love the game enough to get better. I can't help but wonder how his lack of quality secondary pitches and flat FB/command were overlooked by all those scouts...maybe it was his size.
This definitely sends a clear message to aspiring players, "Projectable" or not...you better be able to play, adjust and handle failure or you may end up out of the game.
StrainedOblique posted:In reading thru some of the comments regarding Appel's talent and or make up.....Make no mistake people. Appel was the REAL DEAL. Kid pitched in the Pac12 and just made hitters look stupid . Holds all-time K record at Stanford .Big power guy. 6-5, 220 Mid to upper 90's FB w/attitude . Kid shoved. And that slider.........Wow. Just DEVASTATING. Make up ? Kid went to STANFORD And was Absolutely regarded as a high character guy
Appel was drafted twice in the 1st round back to back years. ......Scouts got it absolutely right based on the information at hand. It just didn't go well for Appel.
...Take a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pu_z3x7uU
I shared this story so everyone on here would understand just how hard this game really is. Not for others to judge or question this young mans character.
Mark Appel is/was a beast! I watched him up close and personal. I know what kind of teammate he was to a personal family friend. For some on hear to question his makeup is crazy. Getting to the show has always been about a lot luck to go along with unbelievable talent and most importantly, staying healthy.
Do you know how hard it is to get into and stay at Stanford? Remain in the rotation, set the all time strike out record. Get drafted twice in the first round.
Everyone on this site should model their on kids career after this young man. Extremely smart, faithful and a big character guy.
Let's all hope he makes another run at it. If not, I'm sure we will hear about him doing some other great things in life.
1st pick in draft. Stanford grad. Pitched professionally. Aiming at top tier B schools. Targeting private equity.
And Bleacher Report refers to him as a bust.
I loathe headline editors and sportswriters who bandy about that term. Dopes.
interesting story, one of my friends pitched at Rice played in Cubs and Tigers Org. So we went to the Rice/Stanford game and ran into some Astros scouts he knew. So we ended up watching the game with them. Rice won but Appel looked pretty good, was touching 99 just gave up a few walks, but his stuff looked great. regardless, the Astros scouts told us no way we pick him 1st overall, he has control issues and his slider is not a plus pitch way to flat. He's a good player but not 1st pick in draft.
a couple of months later I was sure they were going to pick Kris Bryant and shocked when they picked Appel after all. as an Astros fan I cant even imagine that lineup now oh well. It sure didn't seem like the scouts were trying to throw us off and we certainly were in no position to tell anyone else. maybe scouts got overruled by higher ups I'm sure that happens. As I remember he started slow that year and was looking really good towards the end of the college season so it could have been they changed their mind the more they saw him as well.
old_school posted:He seems to have a good head on shoulders, grad from Stanford, 6m bonus and is heading to grad school...maybe he didn't get the pot of gold the is MLB but if my sons were to so unfortunate of the next 6 years to 8 years I would be pretty damn proud and happy for them!!!
$6M has to at least account for a small pot of gold. ;-)
minus taxes closer to 3 mn unfortunately.
gunner34 posted:minus taxes closer to 3 mn unfortunately.
Still a small pot of gold. LoL
Picked Off posted:StrainedOblique posted:In reading thru some of the comments regarding Appel's talent and or make up.....Make no mistake people. Appel was the REAL DEAL. Kid pitched in the Pac12 and just made hitters look stupid . Holds all-time K record at Stanford .Big power guy. 6-5, 220 Mid to upper 90's FB w/attitude . Kid shoved. And that slider.........Wow. Just DEVASTATING. Make up ? Kid went to STANFORD And was Absolutely regarded as a high character guy
Appel was drafted twice in the 1st round back to back years. ......Scouts got it absolutely right based on the information at hand. It just didn't go well for Appel.
...Take a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pu_z3x7uU
I shared this story so everyone on here would understand just how hard this game really is. Not for others to judge or question this young mans character.
Mark Appel is/was a beast! I watched him up close and personal. I know what kind of teammate he was to a personal family friend. For some on hear to question his makeup is crazy. Getting to the show has always been about a lot luck to go along with unbelievable talent and most importantly, staying healthy.
Do you know how hard it is to get into and stay at Stanford? Remain in the rotation, set the all time strike out record. Get drafted twice in the first round.
Everyone on this site should model their on kids career after this young man. Extremely smart, faithful and a big character guy.
Let's all hope he makes another run at it. If not, I'm sure we will hear about him doing some other great things in life.
Do you even know what "makeup" is as it relates to baseball scouting? If so, please define it for us.....Do you even have a clue what you are talking about? It is NOT a criticism of the kid to say his "makeup" did not suit the pro game.
I'm sure this kid is a super kid & everyone here who reads this story, I am sure, wishes him the best, including me.
Pro baseball is difficult beyond comprehension. It is NOT a negative if your personality does not mesh with this lifestyle. Get a grip.
"Makeup," in baseball terms:
Work ethic & drive, determination. Aggressiveness vs. passiveness. Ability to adjust. Overcoming adversity. Dealing with injury. Handling failure. Retaining & implementing instruction.
"Good baseball player makeup" has no direct correlation to "Good Human Being makeup," although there can obviously be overlap. In fact, arrogance, aggressiveness, dominance, assertiveness, ego, all possibly "good makeup" for baseball players, would be crap "makeup" for a teacher (better human being) etc.
Personally, I think it is questionable to attempt and impossible to judge either the "make up" of a player and its implications for "success" or "failure" in MLB/Milb based on this article in Bleacher Report.
Consultant, who knows baseball and projection as well or better than anyone on this site, regularly posts about the 6th tool. No one can define it and no one can scout for it with consistent success.
"arrogance, aggressiveness, dominance, assertiveness, ego, all possibly "good makeup" for baseball players"
In my view, many might immediately think of Barry Bonds with those adjectives. One likely would not immediately think of Brandon Crawford or Buster Posey with those.
It wasn't makeup issues, he battled injuries, you can't play the game at that level and have continuous health issues. I often get upset when people have opinions when they have never been in that situation or had players that have been. Not everyone can throw the heat and remain healthy.
I may be wrong but if he is not a free agent he would have to give up part of his bonus. This usually is in the players contract.
So it may not be all about 6M or 3M, it's about the frustration and deciding to move forward.
It's not easy, trust me.,
infielddad posted:Personally, I think it is questionable to attempt and impossible to judge either the "make up" of a player and its implications for "success" or "failure" in MLB/Milb based on this article in Bleacher Report.
Consultant, who knows baseball and projection as well or better than anyone on this site, regularly posts about the 6th tool. No one can define it and no one can scout for it with consistent success.
"arrogance, aggressiveness, dominance, assertiveness, ego, all possibly "good makeup" for baseball players"
In my view, many might immediately think of Barry Bonds with those adjectives. One likely would not immediately think of Brandon Crawford or Buster Posey with those.
Agree completely. Certainly not a one size fits all & "nice guys" can still succeed. I can wager you though that when guys like Posey or Crawford get ready & cross the lines a bit of the inner killer comes to the surface.
As for Appel. No doubt speculation on my part. However, if you have the stuff to go 1-8 & then 1-1 & you do not get a big league inning & it is not due to injury (largely) it is "makeup" that held you back. You held yourself back.
I played with too many guys with mediocre talent I saw get there & many first rounders (several I could name & illustrate) that either never got there or washed out early due to "makeup."
I will give you 1 example without naming names. I was a reliever in AAA. We had a kid come up late in the season. First round pick. RHP. 95 plus, hammer CB. He went 5-0 in AAA at 22 years old. This kid is going to be a big league ace. Next Spring training he is in Big League camp. Rolling along. They are not rushing him. He will start year in AAA & then go right up. Last start of Spring Training he is vs. Giants. Barry Bonds hits a HR about 500' off of him.
We report to AAA shortly thereafter. I'm in the pen & he comes down to throw. Catcher gets down, pitching coach there & he proceeds to launch one over the screen, literally. Next pitch is about a 35' in the dirt. Next one sails about 6' wide left. We are sitting there like WTF???
After this disaster I ask him. "Dude, WTF is going on?" "Aw man, did you see what Bonds did to me?" I'm astonished. I say "look man, the dude has 600 home runs, get in line." Long story short, he was wrecked by this. He ended up with about 40 Big League innings & washed out after being given every opportunity. Therapist, psychologist, hypnotist and on & on. He was never the same. Great guy. Would trust him with my life. Makeup.
TPM posted:It wasn't makeup issues, he battled injuries, you can't play the game at that level and have continuous health issues. I often get upset when people have opinions when they have never been in that situation or had players that have been. Not everyone can throw the heat and remain healthy.
I may be wrong but if he is not a free agent he would have to give up part of his bonus. This usually is in the players contract.
So it may not be all about 6M or 3M, it's about the frustration and deciding to move forward.
It's not easy, trust me.,
I was thinking the same thing with the money. I cannot guess as to exactly why he was unable to be successful, but my little brain was doing the math of 1) mailing it in for 2 more years for a possible net cash income of close to $1 million (avoiding having to pay back) or 2) having to reimburse 2 years pro-rata of the $6 million bonus. Sort of like collecting MLB pay just to hang around.
any chance he received some type of release whereby the repayment was waived?
Obviously, I was joking earlier but here’s my opinion.
The kid has already won. He has a degree from Stanford. To me that’s the Golden Ticket...and he’s going to Grad School to boot!
We hear on this site all the time about how important it is to have a backup plan. This kid’s backup plan if better than most people’s original plan.
Here’s the only “sure thing” about baseball, there are no “sure things.” Too many things out a player’s control.
2017LHPscrewball posted:TPM posted:It wasn't makeup issues, he battled injuries, you can't play the game at that level and have continuous health issues. I often get upset when people have opinions when they have never been in that situation or had players that have been. Not everyone can throw the heat and remain healthy.
I may be wrong but if he is not a free agent he would have to give up part of his bonus. This usually is in the players contract.
So it may not be all about 6M or 3M, it's about the frustration and deciding to move forward.
It's not easy, trust me.,
I was thinking the same thing with the money. I cannot guess as to exactly why he was unable to be successful, but my little brain was doing the math of 1) mailing it in for 2 more years for a possible net cash income of close to $1 million (avoiding having to pay back) or 2) having to reimburse 2 years pro-rata of the $6 million bonus. Sort of like collecting MLB pay just to hang around.
any chance he received some type of release whereby the repayment was waived?
Just dawned on me he was traded so he doesnt owe anyone anything. Sometimes that really bums out a player, it hurts. My son was released before he became a free agent. That hurt. His next stop they didn't really care about him. That hurts too. You feel so badly that you have let people down. It also isn't the same as the college experience where you have people who care about you and brothers from other mothers as the saying goes.
So that's why I say no one really knows anything unless you walked in their shoes. I can tell you sons experience made him who he is, and he realizes he is a much better coach than a player.
I suppose that Appel had the same epithany. I wish him only the best and to live his life on his own terms.
By all indications a great guy i don't labal anyone a bust in baseball. It's a game of failure. He was a top pick obviously the Astros wanted him to succeed as did the fans. But it all worked out. He got a great education . Degree and I'm glad stayed all 4 years and did that.
https://www.baseballamerica.co...tter_impression=true
A very interesting read maybe the scouts I met knew what they were talking about .
Steve A. posted:Picked Off posted:StrainedOblique posted:In reading thru some of the comments regarding Appel's talent and or make up.....Make no mistake people. Appel was the REAL DEAL. Kid pitched in the Pac12 and just made hitters look stupid . Holds all-time K record at Stanford .Big power guy. 6-5, 220 Mid to upper 90's FB w/attitude . Kid shoved. And that slider.........Wow. Just DEVASTATING. Make up ? Kid went to STANFORD And was Absolutely regarded as a high character guy
Appel was drafted twice in the 1st round back to back years. ......Scouts got it absolutely right based on the information at hand. It just didn't go well for Appel.
...Take a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pu_z3x7uU
I shared this story so everyone on here would understand just how hard this game really is. Not for others to judge or question this young mans character.
Mark Appel is/was a beast! I watched him up close and personal. I know what kind of teammate he was to a personal family friend. For some on hear to question his makeup is crazy. Getting to the show has always been about a lot luck to go along with unbelievable talent and most importantly, staying healthy.
Do you know how hard it is to get into and stay at Stanford? Remain in the rotation, set the all time strike out record. Get drafted twice in the first round.
Everyone on this site should model their on kids career after this young man. Extremely smart, faithful and a big character guy.
Let's all hope he makes another run at it. If not, I'm sure we will hear about him doing some other great things in life.
Do you even know what "makeup" is as it relates to baseball scouting? If so, please define it for us.....Do you even have a clue what you are talking about? It is NOT a criticism of the kid to say his "makeup" did not suit the pro game.
I'm sure this kid is a super kid & everyone here who reads this story, I am sure, wishes him the best, including me.
Pro baseball is difficult beyond comprehension. It is NOT a negative if your personality does not mesh with this lifestyle. Get a grip.
Haha..........I know exactly what the term 'Make up' means in pro ball scouting. You're assuming that we left out the 'Mental game' aspect with comments regarding Appel and Make up. Your assumptions are WRONG.
You don't pitch in the Pac-12 at the level Appel did or perform on the field at a level that gets you drafted TWICE in the first round without having a 'Pro ball mind set' . Nobody questions Appel's mental 'Fit' for pro ball other than misinformed people who, once a prospect doesn't perform, try to draw the worn out comparison between Billy Bean and Lenny Dykstra from Micheal Lewis's Book. That notion is far too shortsighted and completely disregards the complexity of events , big and small , that make up a career in pro ball. Let alone , a career with forward trajectory!
FYI: Billy Bean was a terrific player coming outta High School. But he wasn't even in the same discussion talent wise as Mark Appel.......Not even close. ( Billy would hit the like button on this page if he saw this )
Appel has dealt with Shoulder issues since coming out of Stanford. He pitched thru it for a while if I remember correctly . But guy's that know pitching know that Shoulders are the kiss of death w/ Pitchers . Kid got off on the wrong foot. And it hasn't gone well for him .
He might be done. I hope not. I see him throwing outta someones pen in a couple of years if he can get and stay healthy and has a desire to do it.
Steve A. posted:Picked Off posted:StrainedOblique posted:In reading thru some of the comments regarding Appel's talent and or make up.....Make no mistake people. Appel was the REAL DEAL. Kid pitched in the Pac12 and just made hitters look stupid . Holds all-time K record at Stanford .Big power guy. 6-5, 220 Mid to upper 90's FB w/attitude . Kid shoved. And that slider.........Wow. Just DEVASTATING. Make up ? Kid went to STANFORD And was Absolutely regarded as a high character guy
Appel was drafted twice in the 1st round back to back years. ......Scouts got it absolutely right based on the information at hand. It just didn't go well for Appel.
...Take a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pu_z3x7uU
I shared this story so everyone on here would understand just how hard this game really is. Not for others to judge or question this young mans character.
Mark Appel is/was a beast! I watched him up close and personal. I know what kind of teammate he was to a personal family friend. For some on hear to question his makeup is crazy. Getting to the show has always been about a lot luck to go along with unbelievable talent and most importantly, staying healthy.
Do you know how hard it is to get into and stay at Stanford? Remain in the rotation, set the all time strike out record. Get drafted twice in the first round.
Everyone on this site should model their on kids career after this young man. Extremely smart, faithful and a big character guy.
Let's all hope he makes another run at it. If not, I'm sure we will hear about him doing some other great things in life.
Do you even know what "makeup" is as it relates to baseball scouting? If so, please define it for us.....Do you even have a clue what you are talking about? It is NOT a criticism of the kid to say his "makeup" did not suit the pro game.
I'm sure this kid is a super kid & everyone here who reads this story, I am sure, wishes him the best, including me.
Pro baseball is difficult beyond comprehension. It is NOT a negative if your personality does not mesh with this lifestyle. Get a grip.
Yeah intelligence and being a quality human and baseball makeup isn't always the same. Some great ballplayers are great people but there are also people who are racists, wife beaters, assaulters or plain idiots and still have great baseball makeup. Just look at manny Ramirez, bonds or ty cobb. The 3 where some of the smartest hitters ever but not exactly model human beings.
Btw I'm not sure it was a makeup issue with him. He simply never got any strikeouts once he moved past A ball. Walks were also too high but he really got the Ks and usually had like 7 k/9 in AA and AAA ball. Maybe it was the nagging injuries he had, maybe his pitches were just too flat.
Does anyone have his velo reads from the last years?
He will probably do well in live and 6m and a Stanford degree is fantastic but of course there is no way around saying that athletically he was a disappointment for the high pick he was especially for the Astros who spent all the money and the pick and got nothing.
He is not the first 1/1 pick to bust but it is extremely rare that a first overall doesn't even make the majors, I read he was like the 3rd in history to not make the majors. On average first overall picks are very productive. Not everyone is a star but I read as a group they average like 20 war in their career and most are still like average regulars at least.
I mean there are guys like him Beckham or luke hochervar who weren't good but at least they had mlb careers.
Really amazing that the astros totally wasted a first overall pick and still built that great team. Did a really great job despite not every stone falling for them like it did for the cubs who hit on all their first picks between 2011 and 2015 (Maybe less so on almora but he still is like a good 4th OFer).
My son played against him in college .
One of my memories of watching him as Stanford were in either regionals or super regionals and he was pitching. It was a rough outing and announcers were sayings he has or had a final that day after the game in engineering . I thought wow Stanford starting pitcher and a degree towards engineering. Smart, handsome and a beautiful young man. His dad is a very successful lawyer. He comes from a very good family.
As TPM said it’s tough. For those not really understanding the grind of minor league baseball and sorry just reading about it is different watching a kid do it.
I wish for him the best of everything. mostly I wish for him peace and happiness as he moves on. He exemplifies what many young kids should aspire To look up to.
Going to Stanford and getting the degree he got and his career nothing to keep his head down about. He’s a great young man.
Suffice it to say, TPM is 100% on point! And there is an element of truth in some of the other posters comments, as well. However....
Son is entering his 9th season...Off to Arizona Spring Training at 4 AM this morning, as a matter of fact...again...2 seasons MLB,..trades...releases...injuries...But, today begins another 6 weeks of "proving" he belongs there...NO big bonus...just a grit & burn in his gut keeps him going back.
Folks, got news for you...Unless you have been there, you just can't "judge" or know what it really takes, what motivates these guys, what their "makeup" is...
It's all in God's hands, anyway...Fret not, these guys go as long as they can...then things change, for whatever reason. And it's all OK!
May all of our players reach their own "pinnacle"!
May all of our players reach their own "pinnacle"!
Amen
gunner34 posted:https://www.baseballamerica.co...tter_impression=true
A very interesting read maybe the scouts I met knew what they were talking about .
Interesting article. Some of it says the same things I heard about the time he came out of college. This line in particular....
Hitters frequently square him up because, even with his arsenal, he’s easy to see with his slow delivery, long arm action in the back, and a fastball that doesn’t have a lot of movement.
BTW, I'm not qualified to have said any of that. I saw him pitch a number of times in college and he looked really good to me. I also met his parents, even drank a beverage with them at a tailgate. Really nice people. I'm sure Mark has done so well as a student and human being because of them, at least in part.
This path to MLB is a really tough one as others have written. Really tough. It reaffirms the importance (to me at least) of making sure your son is picking the right college for him, and taking school seriously. Anything can happen.