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.