Surprising former MLB players playing in the Indy Leagues

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (or ALPB) was founded in 1998 and is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic states. The Atlantic League primarily operates in cities that do not have any MLB or MiLB teams in them.

The league uses a pitch clock (used to limit the amount of time a pitcher has between pitches) and limits the time between innings in attempts to speed up the game. Starting in 2021, the ALPB began using a “double-hook” rule, which means that once a team removes its starting pitcher, they lose their designated hitter spot for the remainder of the game.

In the ALPB, a total of nine different teams split amongst the North and South Divisions competed in the full season, including the Lancaster Barnstormers, Long Island Ducks, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Staten Island FerryHawks, York Revolution, Charleston Dirty Birds, Gastonia Honey Hunters, High Point Rockers and Lexington Legends.

Let’s look at former MLB players who spent 2021 in the ALPB

Starting pitcher Mat Latos (MLB career: 2009-2017 with eight MLB organizations)

It has been four years since 34-year old Mat Latos was a part of an MLB organization, spending the 2017 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. A longtime starting pitcher for the Reds and Padres, Latos has spent the past three seasons bouncing around the Indy Leagues. In 2021, he was a reliever on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He appeared in 43 games, posting a 2.76 ERA, striking out 46 while walking just 11 in 42+ innings.

Starting pitcher Jailen Peguero (MLB career: 2007 and 2008 with Arizona Diamondbacks)

Jailen Peguero was never a household name in the big leagues, but there is something to be said about the fact that he is still in professional baseball after last being in an MLB organization all the way back in 2010. Twelve years ago. Peguero spent last season at the young age of 40-years old with the Gastonia Honey Hunters. In 33 games (12 starts) and 80 innings, he struck out 72 batters but walked 47 and surrendered 16 home runs. His ERA at season’s end was 6.64, nothing to write home about.

Utility-man Michael Martinez (MLB career: 2011-2017 with 6 MLB organizations)

Pesky slap-hitter Michael Martinez, best known as the final out in the 2016 World Series, played last season at 38-years old for the High Point Rockers. Never a huge power threat, Martinez’s value comes in his ability to get on base, steal a base, and play solid defense at any position on the diamond. In 51 games for High Point last season, he hit .287 with 4 home runs and 5 stolen bases; making defensive appearances at second base, third base, and center field.

Outfielder Alejandro de Aza (MLB career: 2007, 2009-2017 with 7 MLB organizations)

Longtime White Sox outfielder Alejandro de Aza is still kicking around in the Indy Leagues after last appearing in an MLB organization back in 2019 as a member of the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate. De Aza, 37, saw extended playing time at all three outfield spots for the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2021, hitting 32 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs and 71 RBI in 108 games last season. Notably, he also hit .322 and almost drew as many walks (57) as strikeouts (63) in 108 games.

Starting pitcher Daryl Thompson (MLB career: 2008, 2011 with Cincinnati Reds)

36-year old Daryl Thompson has just four games and 17 innings under his belt in Major League Baseball. He debuted with the Reds 14 years ago in 2008 and made his last MLB appearance to date 11 years ago in 2011. His 8.31 ERA is a bit of an eyesore but he has been able to put together a much more impressive run in the Indy Leagues. In 2019, Thompson was brought aboard as a pitching coach/player and has spent the last few seasons in that role. Last year, Thompson went 16-3 with a 3.20 ERA, four complete games, and just 22 walks allowed in 169 innings.

Infielder Brandon Phillips (MLB career: 2002-2018 with 5 MLB organizations)

Brandon Phillips, a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and 2011 Silver Slugger at second base in the NL is still playing at 40-years old, most recently for the Lexington Legends. Phillips, better known as “BP,” became co-owner of the club before signing a contract to actually play for the team. BP played in 52 games for Lexington last season, hitting 14 home runs with 52 RBI, striking out just 31 times in over 240 plate appearances.

Outfielder Ben Revere (MLB career: 2010-2017 with 5 MLB organizations) 

Ben Revere, best known for being one of the fastest MLB players in his heyday, currently functions as a player/coach for the Lexington Legends at 33-years of age. Revere was named the hitting coach for the Legends in May of 2021 until the end of July, when the club activated him as a player. In his very first game, he promptly tripled and drove in 2 RBI. In 25 games for the club as a player, he hit .300 in 54 plate appearances, striking out just 5 times.

Infielder Alberto Callaspo (MLB career: 2006-2015 with 6 MLB organizations)

Switch-hitting infielder Alberto Callaspo, now 38-years old, spent 2021 with the Charleston Dirty Birds. Callaspo’s last sighting in American baseball was in 2015 when he played 97 games between the Braves and Dodgers. The middle-infielder played 99 games for Charleston last season, hitting .335 across 429 plate appearances; striking out 30 times and walking a whopping 85 times.

Outfielder Lew Ford (MLB career: 2003-2007, 2012 with 2 MLB organizations) 

Yes, that Lew Ford is still playing professional baseball. Now 45-years old, Ford has spent the last eleven seasons playing for the Long Island Ducks, becoming the team’s hitting coach eight years ago. In January of this year, Ford resigned for another season with the club for his twelfth season. Last season, Ford primarily played DH and got a few chances in the corner outfield spots; playing in 58 games and hitting 3 home runs and a .311 batting average in 160+ plate appearances.

Pitcher Manny Corpas (MLB career: 2006-2010, 2012-2013 with 2 MLB organizations)

Manny Corpas, now 39-years old, is best known as a Colorado Rockies relief pitcher from 2006-2010. His last appearances in American baseball were in 2014 with the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate. Corpas has made at least one appearance for a total of six different teams in the Indy Leagues from 2016-2021, most recently with the Charleston Dirty Birds. Corpas made four starts for the club last year, posting a 13.00 ERA after giving up 26 earned runs in just 18 innings.

Outfielder Caleb Gindl (MLB career: 2013-2014 with the Milwaukee Brewers)

Caleb Gindl, now 33-years old, has not made any appearances in MLB since 2014 with the Brewers and has not made any appearances in American baseball in general since 2018 as a member of the SF Giants organization. Gindl spent last year with the Lancaster Barnstormers where he was one of the best hitters in the whole league. The left-handed hitting Gindl hit 34 home runs, drove in 91 and drew 73 walks in 115 games last season; making defensive appearances at all three outfield spots and first base.

The American Association of Professional Baseball (or AAPB) was founded back in 2005 when four teams announced that they had left the Northern League, a former Indy League that folded back in 2010.

Rosters in the AAPB are limited to just 23 players, three less than a typical MLB active roster size. Only five of those players can be veterans and a minimum of five players must be rookies. Players are considered “veterans” by the league if they have six or more years of professional service time in the game.

The AAPB currently consists of 12 teams split between East and West Divisions. These teams include the Chicago Dogs, Cleburne Railroaders, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Kane County Cougars, Lake Country DockHounds, Milwaukee Milkmen, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Kansas City Monarchs, Lincoln Saltdogs, Sioux City Explorers, Sioux Falls Canaries and the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Let’s take a look at former MLB players who spent 2021 in the AAPB

Starting pitcher Christian Friedrich (MLB career: 2012, 2014-2016 with 2 MLB organizations)

Former Colorado Rockies starter Christian Friedrich last appeared in American baseball in 2017 with the San Diego Padres. In 2021, he found himself starting games for the Chicago Dogs after being traded by the Lexington Legends. Friedrich struggled with Lexington last year but looked a lot better for the Dogs; going 3-1 with a 4.21 ERA, striking out 30 in 36+ innings and walking just two batters.

First baseman David Washington (MLB career: 2017 with Baltimore Orioles)

Big lefty David Washington‘s MLB career to this point consists of just three games. He went hitless through six at bats and has been in the Indy Leagues ever since. Washington, 31, is a sweet-swinging power hitter who regularly is a lock for somewhere between 20 and 30 home runs each year. Last season with the Milwaukee Milkmen, Washington hit 17 home runs in 62 games, posting a .325 batting average and making defensive appearances at first base and right field.

Starting pitcher Bud Norris (MLB career: 2009-2018 with 7 MLB organizations)

Bud Norris, best known for his five-year stint as the Houston Astros’ best starter, last appeared in the big leagues in 2018 as the Cardinals’ closer. Last season, Norris surfaced with the Winnipeg Goldeyes, making six appearances and striking out nine batters in six innings. Norris, 36, may look for another contract in the Indy Leagues in 2022 while he attempts to continue his major league comeback.

Utility-man Darnell Sweeney (MLB career: 2015, 2018 with 2 MLB organizations)

Versatile speedster Darnell Sweeney last appeared in American baseball in 2019 with the Pirates organization. Sweeney has always been a serious stolen base threat and last year he was able to bring his power numbers around too for the Kansas City Monarchs. Sweeney, 31, hit a career-high 19 home runs, drove in 69 runs and hit .262 while making defensive appearances at second base, third base, shortstop, center field, and right field. He still has age on his side so a return to an MLB-affiliated club is not out of the question.

The Frontier League is another MLB Partner League that was founded in 1993. It is currently the longest running Indy League team out there and consists of a total of 16 teams. They became an official MLB Partner League just recently in 2020.

In a typical season, the Frontier League limits its teams to three “veterans”. The term veteran has a different definition in this league than in the AAPB. A veteran in the Frontier League is any player older than 29-years on October 1st. In this league, the rosters consist of 24 players, ten of which are required to be rookies. A season in this league is just 96 games with the season running from May to September.

The Frontier League consists of two divisions, East and West. Each division has a total of eight teams. The league features teams Empire State Greys, New Jersey Jackals, New York Boulders, Ottawa Titans, Quebec Capitales, Sussex County Miners, Tri-City Valley Cats, Trois-Reivieres Aigles, Evansville Otters, Florence Y’alls, Gateway Grizzlies, Joliet Slammers, Lake Erie Crushers, Schaumburg Boomers, Washington Wild Things and Windy City ThunderBolts.

Let’s take a look at former MLB players who spent 2021 in the Frontier League

Infielder Gift Ngoepe (MLB career: 2017-2018 with 2 MLB organizations)

Slick-fielding Gift Ngoepe is perhaps best known as being the only continental African player in MLB history to reach The Show. The 32-year-old has a reputation of being a sound defender and is capable of playing above-average defense at second base, third base, and shortstop. In 2021, he spent the majority of his season as a member of the Quebec Capitales. In 82 games, he hit 6 triples, 9 home runs, drove in 47 and stole 12 bases while posting a .281 batting average.

Outfielder Alfredo Marte (MLB career: 2013-2015 with 2 MLB organizations)

After a three-year tenure in the majors with the Diamondbacks and Angels, Alfredo Marte has spent time in many different professional baseball Indy Leagues teams; including stints in the ALPB, Mexican League (twice), Can-Am League (Canadian-American), and most recently – the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. Marte, 32, played 39 games with the Jackals last season; hitting seven home runs and posting a .279 batting average while making defensive appearances in left field and center field.

Outfielder Denis Phipps (MLB career: 2012 with CIN Reds)

It has now been just under ten years since Denis Phipps played 8 games for the Cincinnati Reds, hitting his first (and only) home run to this point in the bigs. Since 2014, Phipps has played in multiple American Association, ALPB and Frontier League teams. Last season, he had a short stint with the Lexington Legends and spent the vast majority of the year with the Tri-City ValleyCats. In 93 games for Tri-City, Phipps hit 21 home runs and posted a .277 batting average; making defensive appearances at first base and all three outfield spots.

Outfielder Boots Day (MLB career: 1969-1974 with 3 MLB organizations)

Yes, you read that right. 74-year old Boots Day has been a coach for a variety of different teams since 1995, retiring from coaching in September of this past season after 55 years in the sport. On the day of his retirement, the Evansville Otters (the team he was the bench coach for) penciled Day into the starting lineup as the club’s leadoff hitter. 41 years after his last plate appearance in professional baseball in 1980, Day grounded out to shortstop on the first pitch he saw, sending him off to retirement with cheers from the crowd and both dugouts.

Infielder Dan Rohn (MLB career: 1983-1984, 1986 with 2 MLB organizations)

Again, you did indeed read that correctly. 66-year old Dan Rohn began his coaching career in professional baseball back in 2001 when he managed the Seattle Mariners PCL team the Tacoma Rainiers. He spent nearly the next two decades coaching a multitude of teams in different leagues, most recently the Lake Erie Crushers. Hired in 2020 as the club’s manager, Rohn missed out on that season due to the COVID-cancellation of the year, but took the helm in 2021. Rohn announced he would be retiring from the game at the conclusion of the season and on the last day of the year, he took the mound in the bottom of the first inning of the club’s game against the – you guessed it, Evansville Otters.

The lone batter Dan Rohn faced on the mound in September? Fellow old-timer Boots Day. 66-year old Rohn retired 74-year old hitter Boots Day on what would end up being the last regular season game of both coaches’ careers in a moment that was one of the coolest in all of baseball last year.

The Indy Leagues of professional baseball still feature a whole host of former MLB players looking to continue their careers. From longtime starter Bud Norris to David Washington who received just six at-bats in the bigs, there are many recognizable faces still floating around the league.