Stanford Player Picked No. 1 in Major Sports Draft for 2nd Consecutive Year

A year after Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck was selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts, Stanford Cardinal pitcher Mark Appel was taken #1 overall in Thursday’s MLB Draft. The elite ace was selected by the Houston Astros after they passed over him last year with the top pick. 

This is a homecoming for Appel, who grew up in Houston, and the selection rewards the decision he made last year when he turned down a $3.8 million offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates after they selected him #8. Finishing his career and degree from Stanford was more valuable for the pitching star.

Third baseman Kris Bryant of the University of San Diego was selected second by the Chicago Cubs and was followed by Oklahoma’s Jonathan Gray (Rockies), and the first high schooler taken, Kohl Stewart (Twins).

The forty-round draft will take place over two more days and was the second year in a row that the draft began without a consensus number one prospect.