Stanford Baseball's Mark Appel Goes No. 1

Stanford Athletics has done it again, produced a No. 1 draft pick two years running.

During Major League Baseball's draft Thursday night, the Cardinal's right-handed pitcher Mark Appel was drafted No. 1 overall to the Houston Astros. The graduating senior had turned down an offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 and now will play for his home team, according to ESPN News.

Stanford Football's Andrew Luck went No. 1 in the National Football Association draft in 2012 to the Indianapolis Colts. The Cardinal Women's Basketball forward Nneka Ogwumike was drafted No. 1 by the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association.

"We're absolutely thrilled that this came to a conclusion today and that we selected Mark Appel with the first selection in the draft," said Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.  "We believe he is a premium talent and we see him as a future potential ace. He's exactly the type of player that we need to be adding to the organization. He makes us significantly better and we believe this is a special player that is going to be a part of our championship team someday."

Appel attended Monte Vista High School in Danville.