David J. Sappelt (born January 2, 1987) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. He is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and weighs 195 pounds (88 kg). He bats and throws right handed. He graduated from Southern Alamance High School in Burlington, NC. Sappelt played college baseball at Coastal Carolina University. He resides in Graham, NC.
Professional career
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Sappelt in the 9th round, with the 269th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. He played 2008 for the rookie-level Billings Mustangs. Sappelt hit .299 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 254 at-bats. He had 301 at-bats for Single-A Dayton Dragons in 2009, hitting .269 with three home runs and 25 RBI; in 251 at-bats for the High-A Sarasota Reds he hit .295 with four home runs and 21 RBI.[1]
Sappelt started 2010 with the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats. He hit .282 with no home runs and four RBI in 71 at-bats. Sappelt was promoted to the Double-A Carolina Mudcats, and hit .361 with nine home runs and 62 RBI in 330 at-bats. He was a mid- and post-season All-Star in the Southern League for the Mudcats, and was named Southern League Most Valuable Player. Sappelt's performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Louisville Bats, where he hit .324 with one home run and eight RBI in 108 at-bats for the Bats. His season totals for 2010 were 509 at-bats, .342 average, 10 home runs, and 74 RBI. Sappelt was named the Reds' Minor League Hitter of the Year.[2] His season performance earned him a trip to the prestigious Arizona Fall League, where he hit .292 in 72 at-bats with no home runs and 10 RBI. Sappelt also played in the Venezuelan Winter League, batting .305 with one home run and 10 RBI in 118 at-bats. He received a non-roster invitation to spring training for 2011.
Sappelt was invited to the major league spring training camp in 2011 as a non-roster invitee. He backed up his award as Reds Minor League Hitter of the Year by hitting .564 (22-for-38), along with three homers and 12 RBI. However, Sappelt was cut from the Reds roster late in spring. Manager Dusty Baker said that a lot of the decision had to do with the fact that Sappelt was not on the 40-man roster, which at the time was full.[3]
Sappelt went back to Louisville for the 2011 season, and continued hitting. Through his first 74 games as the Bats' center fielder, he hit .313 with seven home runs and 29 RBI, including a .358 average against lefties.[4] After Chris Heisey injured his oblique in batting practice and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, Sappelt was called up to the major leagues for the first time on August 7, 2011. He made his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs, leading off and playing left field.[5]
Chicago Cubs
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On December 23, 2011, Sappelt was traded with Travis Wood and Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Sean Marshall. On May 6, 2013, Sappelt was optioned to the Iowa Cubs. He was designated for assignment on September 3, 2013.[6] Sappelt cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on September 5.[7]
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 18, 2013, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Sappelt to a minor league contract, that included a spring training invitation.[8] He was released prior to the start of the season on April 3.
Acereros de Monclova
On June 24, 2014, Sappelt signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[9] In 13 games for Monclova, Sappelt batted .400/.446/.480 with no home runs and six RBI.
Rojos del Águila de Veracruz
On July 9, 2014, Sappelt was traded to the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz. In 33 games for Veracruz, Sappelt hit .275/.331/.374 with no home runs, 10 RBI, and four stolen bases.
Piratas de Campeche
On February 11, 2015, Sappelt signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League.[10] In 54 appearances for the Pirates, Sappelt batted .335/.398/.546 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, and five stolen bases.
Boston Red Sox
On June 9, 2015, Sappelt signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[11] In 8 games for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, he went 6-for-29 (.207) with 2 home runs and 2 RBI. Sappelt elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Sultanes de Monterrey
On June 28, 2016, Sappelt was traded to the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. In 39 games for the team, he batted .371/.397/.537 with four home runs, 27 RBI, and two stolen bases.[12]
Olmecas de Tabasco
On February 27, 2017, Sappelt was traded to the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League.[13] In 14 games for Tabasco, he batted .250/.288/.375 with one home run, three RBI, and one stolen base.[14] Sappelt was released by the Olmecas on April 17.
Rieleros de Aguascalientes
On May 5, 2017, Sappelt signed with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League. In 80 appearances for Aguascalientes, he slashed .288/.375/.464 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, and four stolen bases.[15] Sappelt was released by the Rieleros on November 11.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
On May 27, 2018, Sappelt signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 7 games for the Blue Crabs, he went 5-for-27 (.185) with one home run and two RBI. Sappelt was released by the team on June 7.
Winnipeg Goldeyes
On June 13, 2018, Sappelt signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[16] In 28 games for Winnipeg, he batted .250/.351/.371 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and one stolen base.
Tigres de Quintana Roo
On July 15, 2018, Sappelt signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. He was released by Quintana Roo on July 30.
References
- ^ "Prospect of the Day: Dave Sappelt, OF, Cincinnati Reds". minorleagueball.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Carolina's Dave Sappelt Named Southern League's Most Valuable Player". milb.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (March 26, 2011). "Three cut from roster, five more to go". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ "Dave Sappelt Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ "David Sappelt Promoted to Major League Club by Cincinnati". goccusports.com. August 6, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ Cubs Designate Dave Sappelt For Assignment
- ^ "Minor Moves: Teagarden, Sappelt, Brown". mlbtraderumors.com. 5 September 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ "Marson, Gwynn signed by Phillies". Delaware County Daily Times. December 19, 2013. pp. A55.
- ^ "Minor Moves: Rogers, Geltz, Sappelt, Ni, Rodriguez, Hottovy". mlbtraderumors.com. 5 May 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "Dave Sappelt Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Dominicano Eliezer Mesa Firma Con Piratas Para Ocupar Plaza De Sappelt". campeche.com.mx. 10 June 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Dave Sappelt - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Dave Sappelt, nuevo jugador de Olmecas". milb.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "2017 Tabasco Olmecas Roster". statscrew.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "2017 Aguascalientes Rieleros Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Winnipeg Goldeyes add four player including former big leaguer". globalnews.ca. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Sap on Twitter
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