Mark Appel, receiving special treatment because he was the first overall pick in 2013.
Mark Appel, receiving special treatment because he was the first overall pick in 2013. (USATSI)

Houston promotes Mark Appel to Double-A

As was reported Saturday night, the Houston Astros have promoted Mark Appel to Double-A. The 2013 No. 1 overall pick in the June draft, it's not surprising that the 23-year-old Appel would get to Double-A just over a year since being selected. Given his pretty awful Class A numbers, though, it's surprising how he's gotten there.

Sunday, Appel threw a bullpen session in front of Astros personnel at Minute Maid Park and, apparently, the combination of the possibly undeserved promotion along with the bullpen session didn't sit well with some Astros players.

Via Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle:

It's possible Appel is getting special treatment, sure. But guess what? He was the first overall pick in the 2013 draft. Those guys get special treatment sometimes. Welcome to life, where it ain't fair sometimes.

Seriously, clean it up, anonymous Astros players. Do your job and quit whining about a Double-A player.