Appel and Tirado have a second chance with the Phillies after clearing waivers
Mark Appel and Alberto Tirado have cleared waivers after the Phillies designated them for assignment last week to clear space on their 40-man roster. Both pitchers will be assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but remain off the 40-man roster.
Top pitching prospects Franklyn Kilome, Seranthony Dominguez, Ranger Suarez, and Jose Taveras were added to the 40-man roster to ensure their protection from the Rule 5 Draft.
Appel was perhaps the biggest name in baseball designated for assignment last week, and the fact he failed to clear waivers is a bit of a surprise. The number one overall pick in 2013 came to Philadelphia in the Ken Giles trade with Houston after injuries plagued his career with the Astros.
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Those arm and shoulder injuries stuck with him in the Phillies organization and limited him to 17 starts for the IronPigs last year.
In two seasons with the IronPigs Appel has a 4.87 ERA with an 8-7 record. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the organization attempts to move him to the bullpen after seeing Adam Morgan flourish following injuries of his own.
Tirado was among baseball’s top-100 prospects going into the 2014 season as a member of the Blue Jays organization. Coming to Philadelphia at the trade deadline along with Jimmy Cordero for outfielder Ben Revere Tirado suffered a shoulder strain in August and owned a 6.75 ERA with an 8/19 K/BB in 12 innings with the IronPigs before going on the disabled list.
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It’s likely both, if healthy, will get an invitation to spring training but their seasons are likely to begin with the IronPigs.