Appel signs with Washington Wild Things

Jason Appel is back. To some extent.

After an enigmatic stint with a mysterious ending in the New York-Penn league, Appel signed a one year contract with the Washington, Pennsylvania Wild Things, of the Frontier League.

The Frontier League is a (mostly) rookie league where 12 slots on each team's 24 man roster are reserved for rookies: players with fewer than 150 professional at bats or 50 innings pitched. There are 7 slots on each team for 1-year players, two for 2-year players, and three for "veterans". The league minimum is $600 per month, which means that most likely, Jason will be living with a host family, unless he has other money available.

It's a long way from here to the Majors. There are six Frontier League alums who played in the Majors last year, none bound for the Hall of Fame: D.J. Carrasco, Mike Cervenak, Brendan Donnelly, Josh Kinney, Scott Patterson, and Orioles closer George Sherrill. However, more than 30 recent alums have been signed to play in A or AA ball, which is about 1 player in 20 over a 3 year period.

Having been released by the Rays, Jason must be hoping to dominate the Frontier League, and then sign with another MLB organization to re-start his ascent through the low minors.