Sometimes when former MLB players play in an independent baseball league, they get a lot of flack for it. Most of the time, they probably won’t ever get back to the big leagues but they chase the dream anyway. Reggie Abercrombie, who had a three-year stint in the MLB, signed on to play independent ball in 2010 and is still there. Sometimes, though, they do make it back. Rich Hill was pitching for the Long Island Ducks one day and signing a big-time MLB contract just months after. The point is, it’s good exposure and if you ever want to make it back to the MLB, you’ve gotta stay sharp somewhere…so why not?

This year, there’s a bunch of names you will recognize playing independent ball. There’s also some you may not recognize but had serious stints in the MLB. Either way, we’re going to lay ’em out for you!

7 Most Notable Former MLB Players Currently Playing Independent Ball:

Mat Latos – New Jersey Jackals

Latos had a lot of success during his nine-year MLB career. In fact, he was pitching in the bigs just last year with the Toronto Blue Jays. Between 2010-2013, Latos went 51-35 with an ERA of 3.27 but became increasingly hittable late in his career.

The Jackals haven’t started their season yet but Latos signed with them on April 10th, 2018.

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Endy Chavez – Somerset Patriots

Chavez is a guy who just loves playing baseball. He’s one of the few who probably knows he’s never making it back to the bigs but wants to play anyway. With that said, he’s also one of the few who had a very good final MLB season — .276 BA in 2014 with Seattle. Unfortunately, he was in Triple-A the following year.

As of May 8th, he is hitting .222 this year through 27 at-bats in independent ball.

Most baseball fans remember him for this…

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Derek Norris – Sugar Land Skeeters

This one kind of made me sad. Norris, who was an All-Star just a few years ago, should probably be on an MLB roster. Last year, he hit just .201 with Tampa Bay but always played the game the right way. He was with Detroit in Spring Training but was released in March. Of all the former big leaguers playing independent, Norris has the best chance to make it back. Catchers are always at a premium and he’s a top-notch clubhouse guy. For the time being, the Skeeters are as close to the big leagues as you can get in terms of independent ball.

As of May 8th, Norris is hitting .286 through 28 at-bats this year with Sugar Land.

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Jose Tabata – York Revolution

A former No. 2 prospect, Tabata was a staple with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a long time (2010-2015). During this period, he hit very well (.275 BA in 1,592 ABs) but not for much power (17 HR). Unfortunately, he was traded to the Dodgers and never played in another MLB game. At this point, he’s probably off the radar.

This year, Tabata is hitting just .167 in 25 at-bats with York.

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Lew Ford – Long Island Ducks

This guy is one of my favorite stories. Ford played four seasons with the Minnesota Twins from 2003-2007, including a year where he hit .299 in 154 games, then went down to the minors and eventually the independent leagues. However, he’s one of the few who made it all the way back to the bigs. In 2012, he played 25 games with the Baltimore Orioles and even made the postseason roster. His final at-bat in the MLB was an eighth-inning RBI single off CC Sabathia in Game 5 of the ALDS. How awesome is that? Since then, he’s been a superstar in the independent leagues. He won the 2014 Atlantic League MVP and owns the Atlantic League record for most hits in a season.

As of May 8th, Ford is hitting .314 this year in 35 at-bats for Long Island.

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Francisco Rodriguez – Long Island Ducks

The Ducks always get the big names. One year, they had Dontrelle Willis, another time, they had Eric Gagne on their pitching staff. This year, they’re back at it again with more big names. No one, however, is bigger than K-Rod. He has six All-Star Games under his belt, a World Series ring, and the MLB record for saves in a season. Last year, he flamed out with the Detroit Tigers (7.82 ERA) but you never know, maybe he gets another shot.

As of May 8th, he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one inning for the Ducks.

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Emilio Bonafacio – Long Island Ducks

Like I said, the Ducks always looking to get the biggest names in the independent leagues. On May 8th, they signed Bonafacio, who in turn had four hits in his first game with the Ducks. Bonafacio played 11 seasons in the MLB, including 44 games with the Atlanta Braves last season. He had a career batting average of .256, while also stealing 166 bases and earning over $15 million.

As of May 8th, Bonafacio is hitting .800 for Long Island so far.

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Do yourself a favor and go check out an independent game this year. All the seats are good, the foods cheap, and if you try, you’ll probably be able to chat with a former big-league player.