• Full name Michael A. Costanzo
  • Born 09/09/1983 in Springfield, PA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Coastal Carolina
  • Debut 05/13/2012
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (65th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005 (signed for $570,000).
    View Draft Report
    Costanzo's two-way prowess was a major reason why Coastal Carolina worked its way into Baseball America's Top 25 for the first time in the program's history. He mirrors Clemson's Kris Harvey in that scouts are split over he'll be better on the mound or at the plate. Because he has lefthanded power and enough arm to profile for third base, most clubs like Costanzo better at the plate. If he's drafted as a pitcher, it will be because of his closer's demeanor, durable arm, fastball in the low 90s and power slider in the 80-83 mph range that can be a plus pitch. At the plate, Costanzo has shown raw and usable power, both with metal (21 homers in 2004) and wood, hitting six homers to rank fourth in the Cape Cod League last summer. His homers stem more from overpowering the ball than bat speed, though, and he's not expected to hit for a consistently high average. He has excellent plate discipline and is working on his second straight year of 50-plus walks. Costanzo doesn't play much third anymore to save his arm for pitching, so scouts aren't sure if his feet and hands will be good enough at third.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Infield Arm in the International League in 2008
  • Rated Best Infield Arm in the Houston Astros in 2008
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Houston Astros in 2008
  • Rated Best Power Hitter in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007
  • Rated Best Infield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006

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