ValleyCats

The Tri-City ValleyCats will get a special boost later this week, when the No. 1 pick joins the team.

Mark Appel, who was selected No. 1 in the recent 2013 MLB Draft, will pitch for the ValleyCats on Friday, July 5, against Lowell.

Appel will join the team on Thursday, July 4.

Appel finished the 2013 season with a 10-4 record for Stanford, with a 2.12 ERA. He set the program record for strikeouts with 372.

Appel signed with Houston two weeks ago and has been working out in Florida since.

Appel will be the highest drafted player to play for the ValleyCats and fourth first-round pick to play in Troy.

Jason Castro (2008), Jordan Lyles (2008) and George Springer (2011) are the other first round selections to appear for the ValleyCats.

The Tri-City ValleyCats could get the benefit of having the No. 1 pick from the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in Mark Appel.

The Houston Astros make Appel, a right-handed pitcher from Stanford, the No. 1 pick on Thursday evening.

Here is a link to my story, where I talk to Tri-City general manager Rick Murphy about the possibility of having Appel in Troy to start the 2013 season.

AP