Diploma in hand, Josh Appell graduated in June on Franklin Field. After signing a minor league contract with the New York Mets on July 9th, Appell will report to Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Appell will begin his pro baseball career playing for the Gulf Coast Mets, the Mets' rookie ball club. If he succeeds there he will be eligible to make the roster of the short-season single-A affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Earlier in July, the Mets gave Appell the opportunity to throw from the bullpen with an opportunity for a minor league contract. Scouts were impressed and called Appell to invite him to rookie ball.
"It was just incredible getting the call," Appell said. "It was a shock; the call came out of nowhere."
Currently, Appell does not have a well defined roll with the Gulf Coast Mets. The team is designed for rookies of all ages and from all over the world. Coach Gary Carter and the rest of his staff help develop the rookies, many whom have very raw talent.
Tradition Field also serves as rehabilitation facility for players on the major league roster. While Doug Mientkiwicz is the only player currently in the lineup, Kaz Matsui and Steve Trachsel are also in Port St. Lucie.
Appell features a fastball, curveball, and slider in his repertoire. However the coaching staff has stressed the need to develop a changeup as well if he is to be competitive.
In four years with the Quakers, Appell amassed an impressive record of accomplishments on Murphy Field. He became a starter for Penn as a junior and stayed in that roll for the rest of his career.
During that 2004 season, Appell was named Penn's Most Outstanding Pitcher. He led Ivy League pitchers in batting average against, with a stingy .208.
The southpaw put together an efficient season in 2005, leading the team in average against with .264 as well as in strikeouts with 46. Appell fanned a career-high 13 against Columbia, earning him Ivy Pitcher of the Week honors.
Appell, a lifelong Mets fan, is thrilled to be playing in the Mets' farm system.
"To [play] with a team that I have followed my entire life is nothing short of a dream come true," said Appell. "If you would have asked me what I wanted to do when I was three-years old, I would have said 'I want to pitch for the Mets."
Off the mound, Appell found success in the classroom and on the gridiron at Penn. Appell was the punter for the Quakers and a unanimous choice for First Team All-Ivy in 2004. He tried out for the Buffalo Bills as a punter and was informed that he had the possibility of being signed as a backup. While he is not giving up on football, it is "definitely on hold."
Appell is realistic about his chances of excelling in the professional baseball system but still has high hopes.
"I am not sure how long I will be here," said Appell. But, he does not intend playing minor league ball indefinitely. He has already set limits, saying if he doesn't move up the ladder, "I won't stick around."
