Report: Mark Appel signs with Astros for a bonus of $6.35 million

Stanford pitcher Mark Appel will reportedly receive a $6.35 million bonus from the Astros. (AP Images) No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel has reportedly reached a

Stanford pitcher Mark Appel will reportedly receive a $6.35 million bonus from the Astros. (AP Images)

No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel has reportedly reached a $6.35 million agreement with the Houston Astros.

The right-handed pitcher opted not to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year after he was drafted No. 8 overall, turning down a $3.3 million deal.

Appel's $6.35 million is about $1.44 million less than the value assigned to the No. 1 pick. Still, he's projected to move up quickly in the Astros' ranks and could surface early in the 2014 season.

This spring, Appel went 10-4 with a 2.12 ERA for Stanford, striking out 130 in 106 1/3 innings. He set the Cardinal's career record for strikeouts (372 in 377 2/3 innings) and earned Pacific-12 Conference baseball scholar-athlete of the year honors.

The bonus is the largest bonus ever given to a college senior. The Astros are still working out details of the deal, and Appel is expected to sign early next week.