Mark Appel is entering his second-straight June as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

Appel beat UCLA on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over eight innings while striking out nine in his final appearance for Stanford.

He was drafted by Pittsburgh with the eighth overall pick last year, but didn't sign. Appel, a client of Scott Boras, was largely criticized.

"I tried to shield myself from it," Appel said. "But when you're on Twitter and anyone can say anything behind a keyboard without having to say it to your face, people will show their true colors. I saw a lot of people calling me greedy and things like that. Initially, it affected me, because I don't think anyone likes it when people don't like you. Then I realized that these people don't know me. All they know is I turned down $3.8 million.

"I'd love to get to know people who don't like me for whatever reason. Life is more than about how much money you make or how long your career is. What lasts is your relationships. Coming back, I realized how important it is to stay true to who you are, that integrity, regardless of who's watching. It showed me that the perception isn't always what's true. The majority of the people who just Google my name will perceive that I'm a greedy person and all I care about is money when I know that couldn't be further from the truth. I can't control what they say, what they do, what they think. I know what's true and that's what I have to hold my hope to."

The Cubs have the second overall pick in next month's Major League Baseball draft and have narrowed their list of potential selections.

Chicago is looking at Oklahoma pitcher Jonathan Gray, San Diego third baseman Kris Bryant and North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran and Stanford pitcher Mark Appel.

Since Joe Mauer was drafted first overall in 2001, there have been just 12 high school catchers taken in the first round of the draft.

That could change as prep catchers appear to be a strength heading into next month's draft.

Reese McGuire, Jon Denney and Nick Ciuffo are all projected to be first round picks.

"The other two guys are more offensive, but McGuire has already shown good defensive skills," one scouting director said. "He has good flexibility and he has good throwing skills. He's a hot commodity, too, as a left-handed-hitting catcher."

The Houston Astros will hold the first of four regional workouts of high school and college players on Sunday.

The first workout will be held in the Los Angeles area and 20 prospects have been invited to attend.

The Astros have the No. 1 pick in the Draft for the second year in a row.

The Minnesota Twins have the fourth overall pick in next month's amateur draft and they plan to take either a college pitcher or a high school outfielder.

Eight Minnesota scouts have watched the two Georgia high school outfielders, Austin Meadows and Clint Frazier.