Report: Stanford pitcher Mark Appel may not sign with Pittsburgh Pirates

Star college pitcher Mark Appel is leaning toward turning down a contract offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates and returning to Stanford, reports CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.

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Appel, who was projected by many to go with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft, fell to Pittsburgh at No. 8, at least partly because of concerns over whether he would sign. The new slotting restrictions limit the Pirates' flexibility in trying to sign Appel.