There was hype and there was build-up.  People packed Bruno Stadium (sellout crowd in fact) to see the #1 overall pick make his pro debut for the local Tri-City Valley Cats.The first inning was rocky.  The second was better (1-2-3).  In all, Mark Appel tossed just 26 pitches (19 strikes), giving up two earned runs, three hits including a leadoff triple and had a strikeout.

The three-pitch sequence Appel is known for was on display.  Fastball-slider-changeup.  What do we draw from this start?  Nothing, really.  The kid hadn't pitched in a month and was just getting loose.

You can see his ability, however.  But you could also tell Appel was a touch nervous.  Some fans in the ballpark were upset by the leadoff triple, which is crazy.  Lowell had a game plan to swing early in the count which was smart.  That is how you attack young pitchers with good stuff.

And so with that, Mark Appel will pitch again.  And the hype machine continues with his next start.  And so do the lofty expectations of fans who think they are seeing another Tom Seaver before letting the kid get through the minor leagues.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," 1-4, Yankees pre/post game on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/MikeLSports.  

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