Mark Sappington

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #5 prospect in 2014
  Sappington entered pro ball with no real feel for a changeup, but after graduating from Wise University, it's now his second-best pitch. Ex-big league righthander Matt Wise teaches the changeup to Angels prospects in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Sappington's main weapon, however, remains his plus fastball, which sits 92-95 mph and will touch 97. His two-seamer has good movement and excellent sink, but he struggles to locate it, so he relies primarily on a four-seamer. Sappington's changeup has turned into an average pitch that flashes plus, and he kept lefthanders at bay in 2013. Sappington's biggest problem is a somewhat-rotational delivery. He struggles with flying open too early, which hinders his control and causes him to overthrow. The delivery and breaking ball issues may conspire to send Sappington to the bullpen long-term, but the Angels will keep him in the Double-A rotation in 2014.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #9 prospect in 2013
  Sappington's fastball parked in the mid-80s when he was a high school senior, so he didn't get much attention from college recruiters. He spent three years at NCAA Division II Rockhurst (Mo.), where his velocity improved dramatically. He became the highest-drafted player in school history when the Angels took him in the fifth round in June and signed him for $218,000. Sappington now cruises at 94-95 mph and reaches 97. He has a big, physical frame and throws his fastball with downhill angle and late, heavy sink, which helps him generate plenty of groundballs. His secondary stuff lacks consistency, but his slider shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch and his changeup has the potential to develop into an average offering. Sappington has a unique delivery, with effort, twists and turns that result in a lot of knees and elbows flying at the batter. His mechanics create deception but lead scouts to wonder how good his command can be and if he might be better suited to the bullpen. Sappington got hit hard in Orem, though the Angels say he was just tired after pitching 96 innings in the spring. They'll keep deploying him as a starter in 2013, most likely at their new low Class A Burlington affiliate. Even if he winds up as a reliever, he needs innings for development.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #180 prospect in 2012 draft
  Sappington threw in the mid-80s as a high school senior in Peculiar, Mo., so he was lightly recruited and wound up at NCAA Division II Rockhurst. In three years with the Hawks, he has developed into a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder whose fastball now operates at 92-93 mph and peaks at 96. He could have even more velocity if he shifts to the bullpen in pro ball, as most scouts believe he will. They love Sappington's body and arm strength but think the rest of his package fits best in a relief role. His delivery will need a lot of work, as it features a lot of twists and turns and effort. Better mechanics would improve the consistency of his slider, which shows the makings of becoming a solid second offering, and his command. He throws strikes but will need to improve the location of his pitches. Sappington earns kudos for his makeup and willingness to learn.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #16 prospect in 2013
  Sappington looks part of a big league starter, standing 6-foot-5 with a durable body, and his performance didn?t disappoint as he earned a promotion to Double-A in August of his first full season. Some scouts feel he may end up in the bullpen owing to questions about his secondary stuff, but there was little dispute that he can make the majors in some role. Sappington generates good downhill plane on his 91-97 mph fastball, but his slider and changeup remain works in progress. The slider shows nice tilt at times but could get sweepy, while the changeup flashed some sinking action. Sappington throws with some effort, another sign the bullpen may be in his future, and his command can be erratic, but he did show the mental aptitude to be starter. League observers liked his no-nonsense approach and his feel for varying his pitch speeds and locations. ?We knew what Sappington had and it was just tough to hit him when he has that downward plane fastball and spotting his changeup,? Rancho Cucamonga manager Carlos Subero said. ?He started throwing 2-1 changeups, 3-2 sliders. He couldn?t do that before.?
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #9 prospect in 2012
  The Angels kept a tight rein on Sappington at Orem, holding him to tight pitch and innings limits after he worked 96 innings in the spring at NCAA Division II Rockhurst (Mo.). He didn't post big numbers in his pro debut, but with a fastball that sits at 94-95 mph and touches 97, he had one of the biggest arms in the league. Along with the fastball, he throws a curveball that's a plus pitch at times and an improving changeup that can develop into an average offering. His big frame is built for durability and allows him to throw his pitches on a tough downhill plane. He has a complicated delivery that features some effort, which detracts from his command and eventually could land him in the bullpen. "I think he's at worst a solid No. 3 starter," Orem manager Tom Kotchman said. "He's pitching at 95 and he's tired. This one could be real interesting next year."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Sappington's fastball parked in the mid-80s when he was a high school senior, so he didn't get much attention from college recruiters. He spent three years at NCAA Division II Rockhurst (Mo.), where his velocity improved dramatically. He became the highest-drafted player in school history when the Angels took him in the fifth round in June and signed him for $218,000. Scouting Report: Sappington now cruises at 94-95 mph and reaches 97. He has a big, physical frame and throws his fastball with downhill angle and late, heavy sink, which helps him generate plenty of groundballs. His secondary stuff lacks consistency, but his slider shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch and his changeup has the potential to develop into an average offering. Sappington has a unique delivery, with effort, twists and turns that result in a lot of knees and elbows flying at the batter. His mechanics create deception but lead scouts to wonder how good his command can be and if he might be better suited to the bullpen. The Future: Sappington got hit hard in Orem, though the Angels say he was just tired after pitching 96 innings in the spring. They'll keep deploying him as a starter in 2013, most likely at their new low Class A Burlington affiliate. Even if he winds up as a reliever, he needs innings for development.