After a historic run all the way to the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals in Miami under the guidance of Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli, the Azzurri continue to make history with an impressive showing at Haarlem Baseball Week. During the international tournament, Italian captain Alberto Mineo was third in batting average (.389) as well as on-base percentage (.476) and fifth in slugging (.556), while teammate Miguel Fabrizio was seventh in both batting average (.368) and on-base percentage (.400) and eighth in slugging (.474). However, the highlight reel went to Robel Garcia, who came through in the clutch in the championship game against the Dutch with a three-run home run in the eighth inning to thrust the Italians to become the first non-Japan, non-Kingdom of the Netherlands and non-USA winner of the tourney since 1992.Other offensive weapons included Andres Annunziata (.364 batting average) and Gabriele Angioi (.333 batting average, two doubles, two stolen bases).

Starting pitchers Mattia Aldegheri (2 GS, 1-0, 11.1 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K, 0.00 ERA), Matteo Bocchi (2 GS, 1-0, 11.1 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 6 K, 0.00 ERA) and Davide Montanari (1 GS, 0-0, 6 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0.00 ERA) were top performers, while relievers Alex Bassani (3 APP, 2 SV, 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K), Omar Benelli (1 APP, 2 IP, 0 H, BB, 3 K), Gennaro Coviello (3 APP, SV, 3.2 IP, H, BB, 2 K) and Juan Carlos Infante Jr. (2 APP, 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K) did not allow an earned run during Haarlem Baseball Week.

The Italians will be put to the test against Colombia, Spain and Germany at the Premier12 Qualifier in Barcelona from October 9-11, 2026. There has been limited amount of interaction in the past between the teams competing for the chance to join the world’s elite in the 2027 Premier12. A couple years ago, Spain beat the Azzurri 13-4 in the 2024 Haarlem Baseball Week fifth-place game. More recently in the 2025 European Baseball Championship Quarterfinals, Team Italy defeated Germany 1-0 after starter Gabriele Quattrini pitched seven innings and allowed just three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts and relievers Marco Artitzu and Alex Bassani kept the Germans off the board for the remainder of the contest to preserve the shutout victory.

The Premier12 will expand to 16 teams in 2027 with the two top teams from the Barcelona Qualifier and the Zhongshan, China Qualifier (featuring China, Czech Republic, Nicaragua and Great Britain) joining the 12 teams that automatically qualified through the 2025 WBSC Men’s Baseball Ranking (Japan, Chinese Taipei, USA, South Korea, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Cuba, Australia and the Dominican Republic).

The Road to LA28 for Team Italy begins at the Premier12 Qualifier in Barcelona.as the top 2027 Premier12 teams from Asia and Europe will punch their tickets to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Italians have participated in four Summer Olympics to date (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004). The Azzurri launched #ClubItaliaLA28 under the leadership of former Team Italy manager and National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza over two years to prepare aspiring up-and-coming prospects for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

One additional spot for LA28 will be awarded to the winner of a six-team global qualification tournament in 2028. The participants will be the two best teams (not yet qualified) from the upcoming Asian Championship, the two best teams (not yet qualified) from the upcoming European Championship, the best team (not yet qualified) from the upcoming African Championship and the best team (not yet qualified) from the upcoming Oceania Championship. Forza #Italia!