"It's been quite a journey for me," Costanzo said, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm definitely ecstatic about being here. A lot of guys never get the chance."
The Phillies did not have a first-round selection in 2005, meaning Costanzo, chosen out of Coastal Carolina, was the their first pick of the draft at No. 65. Costanzo was the darling of the local media on draft day thanks to his local connections.
He and the Phillies ironed out a deal at 3 a.m. after Day 1 of the draft and he showed up for his introductory news conference with the tiny Phillies jacket that his parents dressed him in on the way home from the hospital as a newborn.
In 2007, he hit .270 with 27 home runs at Double A Reading, but was traded to Houston as part of the Brad Lidge deal that offseason. Shortly thereafter, the Astros shipped him to Baltimore in a deal for Miguel Tejada.
Costanzo was released by the Orioles after hitting just .202 at Double A and Triple A in 2009. Before the 2010 season, the Orioles asked Constanzo to try pitching. He primarily has played third base, but also has seen time at first. He declined to attempt pitching and started the season playing for the Camden Riversharks, but was signed by the Reds about a month into the season. This year, he was hitting .303 with six home runs, 24 RBI and 37 strikeouts in 127 plate appearances at Double A Pensacola and Triple A Louisville.
Costanzo's parents were expected to fly to Cincinnati from Philadelphia in time for Sunday's game.
"It was the best feeling when I called my parents," Costanzo said.
Daily News sports writer David Murphy contributed to this report.
