The guy most everybody thought the Astros would take with the 1-1 in 2012 - Mark Appel - is currently killing it at Stanford, after deciding that the Pac-12 for another season is a better option than signing with the Pirates.
Stanford is currently 10-5, after what I guess is a surprising sweep (I don't follow it, but I was surprised) at the hands of UNLV - at home, no less - breaking Stanford's nine-game winning streak.
They're 10-5 overall now.
But prospective 2013 1-1 Mark Appel is killing it. Even though he got the loss in the opener against UNLV, Appel threw 7IP, allowing 4H/1ER, with 15K:1BB.
In four starts (two complete games) for Stanford in 2013, Appel is 2-2 with a 1.20 ERA/0.77 WHIP, with 43K:6BB in 30IP, allowing just four extra-base hits in 110 PAs.
Just something to keep an eye on...
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith