Phillies' Mark Appel wants to be best pitcher in MLB

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WPVI) -- Pitcher Mark Appel has a goal. A lofty one.

"I want to be the best pitcher on this team, I want to be the best pitcher in baseball," Appel said.

Before Mark Appel can be the best pitcher in baseball, he has to make it to the big leagues and the number one overall pick in 2013 has struggled to get there.

In 54 minor league games, he has an earned run average (ERA) over five.

"There's pressure that comes with [being the number one pick in the draft], I'm not going to lie about that, but that was three years ago. So, none of that really matters anymore," Appel said.

Appel is no longer shouldering the load that comes with being the number one overall pick. Now with the Phillies he has a fresh start.

They picked up the 6'5 righty in the Ken Giles deal after he failed to live up to his ability with the Houston Astros.

Appel doesn't want to live in the past. Instead, he sees a bright future.

"It's exciting. It's an exciting time to be in the Phillies organization. It's exciting time for the city of Philadelphia. I think the future is bright and it's a lot sooner than I think a lot of people expect," Appel said.

For Appel to be a part of the Phillies rebuilding project he needs to turn things around personally. In his first Spring Training with the Phillies in Clearwater, he's working on his preparation and his focus.

Appel is expected to start the season in Triple A.