July 16, 2012

Appel to return to Stanford for senior season

Right-hander Mark Appel was the only first-round pick from the 2012 MLB Draft who did not sign before the July 13 deadline.

The eighth overall selection plans to return to Stanford for his senior season after failing to come to terms with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Appel was 10-2 in 16 starts this past season with a 2.56 ERA, earning All-America honors.

Outfielder Brandon Thomas of Georgia Tech also failed to sign with the Pirates after being taken in the fourth round. He will return to the Yellow Jackets along with right-hander Buck Farmer, who did not sign with the Milwaukee Brewers after being picked in the 15th round. Thomas was first team All-ACC in 2012, hitting .360 with 15 doubles, five home runs and 44 RBI. Farmer was 8-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 16 starts, also earning first team All-ACC accolades.

Second baseman L.J. Mazzilli is expected to return to Connecticut for his senior campaign after failing to sign with the Minnesota Twins. The ninth-round selection batted .339 for the Huskies this past season with 19 doubles, nine homers, 38 RBI and 43 runs. He was 16 for 21 on stolen base attempts.

Florida outfielder Preston Tucker has not yet signed with the Houston Astros after being taken in the seventh round. He was a senior this past season and can still sign with Houston after the July 13 deadline.

Click here for the full list of unsigned players, courtesy of Baseball America.

(photo by Zach Sanderson/StanfordPhoto.com)