May 22, 2016 4 min read

As a 5-8 second baseman, Brendan Costantino is short on tall. That means the Monongahela native has to do more than most players just to get noticed.

That not-so-small detail hasn’t stopped Costantino from producing big numbers in the past, and he believes that trend will continue with added playing time this season with the Frontier League’s Lake Erie Crushers.

Costantino, who played high school ball for Geibel Catholic in Connellsville and college baseball at Seton Hill, is in his second season with Lake Erie and has played a key role in the Crushers’ 6-1 start entering a game Sunday against the Wild Things at Consol Energy Park.

“Because I’m a smaller guy, I have to play with a chip on my shoulder,” Costantino said. “Because I’m undersized, and people are always doubting me because of my size, it makes me hungrier to prove those people wrong.”

Costantino’s official batting average is .231 but he has a 1-for-3 performance in a suspended game against River City that will not be included in the statistics until the game is resumed in July. One of the fastest players on the Crushers’ roster, Costantino is expected to be Lake Erie’s second baseman on some nights and a pinch-runner when he doesn’t start.

Last year, Costantino’s first in professional baseball, was a learning experience. Costantino was signed by Lake Erie in mid-July and played the second half of the season as a utility player. He batted only .164 in limited playing time (25 games).

“Some of that was my fault,” said Lake Erie manager Chris Mongiardo. “He didn’t get enough chances to show what he can do. I didn’t always put him in the best spots. That’s not all on him. He’s a good player, good enough to play every day.”

Costantino was given the starting assignment at second base Friday night against Washington and went 1-for-5, the hit an RBI-single in Lake Erie’s four-run 12th inning. He also walked in the 13th as the Crushers beat the Wild Things, 9-6. Costantino had a dozen family and friends attend the game.

He was 1-for-4 Saturday night when Washington dealt Lake Erie its first loss.

“There was an adjustment period for me last year,” Costantino said Saturday afternoon. “That’s a big jump from college to pro ball. In pro ball, everything is faster, the guys are stronger, the guys know how to pitch. Plus, it’s a grind being out there every day.”

Costantino is expected to be out there more often for the Crushers this season. And if he can produce anything like he did in college, Lake Erie will have a solid second baseman.

At Seton Hill, Costantino put up video eye-popping numbers. He batted .358 as a junior and .318 during his senior season in 2014, when Seton Hill made the NCAA Division II World Series. He stole 71 bases over those two seasons.

Baserunning is Costantino’s calling card. He set the New York Collegiate Summer League’s single-season stolen base record, swiping 65 in a two-month season.

Though a speed demon on the bases, Costantino knows his playing time and any chance of being signed by an affiliated team will largely depend on how well he hits. After all, you can’t steal first base.

Costantino spent the offseason working at the All-America Baseball Center in Trafford and giving private lessons in Vestaburg. That gave him plenty of opportunities to work on his swing in the batting cages.

“I came into spring training more comfortable with what I can do at the plate,” Costantino said. “My hitting approach has come along. Honestly, I want to improve in every part of the game.”