When pitcher Mark Appel was not the first player selected in the 2012 MLB draft, fans and the media were shocked. Appel looked like a consensus as the top player off the board. Instead, Appel was still available after the sixth pick. A rumor, reported by Kevin Goldstein, said that Scott Boras, Appel's agent, was trying to push the pitcher all the way down to the Washington Nationals at the 16th pick.

Crazy rumor of Boras trying to push Mark Appel all the way to Washington at 16.

— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) June 4, 2012

As for what so many teams have skipped Appel with top picks, speculation about teams' ability to sign the right-handed pitcher abounded.

UPDATE: Well, never mind that. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Appel with the No. 8 overall pick.

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