Featured autograph - Mark Appel

Designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies, Appel seems destined to be a first round pick who maybe a failed prospect - still, as I see Appel as a baseball player who may not reach the big leagues, I'll always look at this clip as something to digest and really think about.

Featured autograph - Mark Appel

Despite his struggles this season, Appel is still an in-person autograph 'get' and I got him to sign a photo and a 2014 Bowman oversized Silver Ice card when he was still with the Lancaster Jethawks - while I don't really like to get 'oddball sized' cards signed, the 5x7 card simply pops.

Because of his draft status, I assume that despite a lost season, he'll get to Houston eventually - for their investment, the Astros are going to have to figure out how to put him in a position where he might enjoy some success, even if it doesn't sit well with some of their players at the big league level.

According to his profile page on MILB.com, Appel has had a 2-5 record with an 9.74 ERA - after his best start of the year on July 24, where he pitched six innings and struck out seven and walked none, he was bumped up to Double-A.

2014 Topps Pro Debut five pack break recap

I took what was left of an open box and picked these packs up for $3 each - I didn't pull anything except for an autograph of a 27-year old reliever who maybe a diamond in the rough.

Pack one

#104 Gregory Polanco

#11 Mike Freeman

#17 Michael Fulmer

#62 Oscar Mercado

#175 Derek Law

#186 Christian Arroyo

#197 Cody Reed

#218 Yeison Asencio

Pack two

#76 Arismendy Alcantara

#84 Luigi Rodriguez

#79 Keon Barnum

#50 Mark Appel

#215 Clay Holmes

#122 Nick Williams

#128 Colin Moran

#174 Tom Windle

Pack three

#91 Elier Hernandez

#105 Alex Yarbrough

#111 B.J. Boyd

#57 Carson Kelly

#119 Ketel Marte

#126 Kyle Hunter

#141 C.J. Edwards

#154 Alen Hanson

Pack four

#63 Jesmuel Valentin

#75 Brandon Martin

#86 LeVon Washington

#107 Zack Borenstein

#133 J.P. Crawford

#125 Jason Hursh

#117 Patrick Kivlehan

#147 Ismael Guillon

Pack five

#80 Logan Bawcom

#89 Hunter Dozier

#97 Felix Jorge

#PDA-JH James Hoyt - auto; looks like he spent time in the independent leagues, but because of stuff and results, may have shown enough to one day pop up in the big leagues as a reliever who could be cheap and useful i.e. Tom Wilhelmsen, Steve Delabar, Dane De La Rosa, et al.

#113 Gabriel Guerrero

#130 Avery Romero

#136 Tim Anderson

#148 James Hoyt

Featured autograph - Mark Appel

The Houston Astros look like they are starting to turn the corner with some top prospects promoted to the parent club - however this tidbit from Baseball America sheds some light on their supposed prized pitching prospect and the outlook isn't quite as optimistic.