Phillies trade RP Ken Giles to Astros for former No. 1 pick Mark Appel

The Houston Astros have acquired Philadelphia Phillies closer Ken Giles in exchange for former No. 1 pick Mark Appel.

The Houston Astros have acquired Philadelphia Phillies closer Ken Giles and infielder Jonathan Arauz in exchange for pitcher Mark Appel, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, the teams announced Saturday.

In addition to Appel, pitchers Vincent Velasquez, Thomas Eshelman, Harold Arauz and Brett Oberholtzer are headed to Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Houston would send outfielder Derek Fisher, not Appel, to Philadelphia in the trade.

Giles, 25, assumed the closer role for the Phillies in July and finished with a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 15 saves and 87 strikeouts in 69 appearances. In two major-league seasons, he holds a 1.56 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

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Since he was drafted by Houston, Appel has gone 16–11 with a 5.12 ERA in two minor-league seasons, most recently posting a 4.48 ERA in 12 starts in Triple-A.

Velasquez, 23, made his MLB debut last season and posted a 4.37 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 55 innings, making seven starts. 

Oberholtzer, 26, holds a 3.94 ERA and 1.33 ERA over 45 appearances (42 starts) in parts of three major-league seasons. The lefthander made eight starts for the Astros in 2015.

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