SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cast aside by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2012, Stephen Cardullo spent four years in the place where many baseball dreams have gone to die.
Independent baseball.
However, Cardullo put up impressive enough numbers to earn another shot in affiliated baseball. He made his MLB debut last season with the Colorado Rockies, and he now has a chance to be on an Opening Day roster in the big leagues for the first time.
It is, to say the least, an unlikely story.
"I still wanted to play, still wanted to keep that dream alive," said Cardullo, a 29-year-old who is still considered a rookie.