Joey Falcone is a prospect unlike any other in the rookie-level Gulf Goast League. At 29, he is more than 10 years older than several of his teammates, and has served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marines medic. Falcone, who went undrafted, was given an opportunity by the New York Yankees after starring at Columbia University during a senior season which he almost led the team to the Super Regionals.
Falcone made his professional debut Wednesday going 1-4. After struggling academically in high school, Falcone didn’t have any Division I opportunities, and enlisted in the Marines at 17, serving overseas over the course of the next six years.