NATIONALS INK MIKE COSTANZO, BUT FREE AGENT LIST STILL INCLUDES 62 PLAYERS

Let us hope that when baseball organizations get back into the full swing of things right after New Year's Day there will be jobs--either affiliated or Independent--for the long list of previous Indy players still unsigned after becoming free agents out of major league organizations in the fall. Our records show 62 players available (a few of them may be injured or have decided to call it a day as players) even after OurSportsCentral.comreported that Mike Costanzo (Camden, NJ, Atlantic League) had been signed by the Washington Nationals organization. The corner infielder got his first major league exposure (21 plate appearances) with Cincinnati early last season.

The list of available free agents compiled for our subscriber-only Independent Baseball Insidercolumns:

Pitchers (28): Bear Bay (RHP), Jason Bergmann (RHP), Austin Bibens-Dirkx (RHP), Ricky Brooks (RHP), Daniel Carela (RHP), Tom Cochran (LHP), Robert Coello (RHP), Mike DeMark (RHP), Wes Etheridge (RHP), Cody Evans (RHP), Justin Hampson (LHP), Eric Junge (RHP), Derek Loop (LHP), Mike MacDonald (RHP), Matt Meyer (LHP), Mike Parisi (RHP), Lance Pendleton (RHP), Stu Pomeranz (RHP), Horacio Ramirez (LHP), Scott Richmond (RHP), Wes Roemer (RHP), Rich Rundles (LHP), Will Savage (RHP), Dan Stange (RHP), Brian Sweeney (RHP), Jason Urquidez (RHP), Kip Wells (RHP), Matt Wright (RHP).

Catchers (6): Craig Albernaz, Cody Clark, Ryan Eigisti, Michel Hernandez, Mike Rivera, James Skelton.

Infielders (16): Eric Almonte, Mike Cervenak (1B-3B), Anthony Contreras (SS, German Duran, Brad Emaus-INF, Jake Fox, Vladimir Frias (SS), Ryan Garko, Vince Harrison, Michael Hollimon (SS), Kevin Howard (SS-3B), Jordan Kreke, Jesus Merchan, Valentino Pascucci (1B), Curt Smith (INF-OF), Terry Tiffee (3B-1B).

Outfielders (12): Cory Aldridge, Jose Duarte, Todd Linden, Drew Locke, Val Majewski, Dustin Martin, Chris Murrill, Jake Opitz, Ryan Patterson, Antoan Richardson, Mike Spidale, Brandon Tripp.

We welcome any updates on this list at RWirz@aol.com.

KRIS JOHNSON SHOWS HIS STUFF

Pittsburgh brass couldn't help but feel good with the recent performance of spring training invitee and onetime American Association (Kansas City, KS) lefty Kris Johnson in leading Escogido into the Dominican League's four-team playoffs.

Johnson went a strong 7.1 innings allowing only three hits and no walks as Escogido ousted Los Gigantes in a single-game elimination. The 28-year-old, who is still searching for his initial major league opportunity, retired 16 consecutive hitters at one point with 10 of them on strikeouts. He had 11 punch-outs altogether against a lineup that included major leaguers Nelson Cruz and Alexi Casilla.

Johnson, a onetime first-round draftee by Boston, got a renewed opportunity in affiliated baseball after winning six of nine decisions (3.23) in 16 starts for the T-Bones in 2011.

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