Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft after his outstanding career at LSU, Aaron Nola made his MLB debut on July 21, 2015 and has spent his entire career with the franchise. He quickly became a centerpiece in the Phillies’ rotation. Known for his excellent control, command, competitive instincts, ability to induce weak contact and to pitch deep into games using his signature fastball, changeup, and curveball, Nola has etched his name in stone as one of the game’s premier pitchers by keeping hitters off balance.
The proud Italian American has recorded multiple seasons with double-digit wins and consistent strikeout totals, consistently ranking among the National League’s top starters. 2018 was a breakout year as he was named an MLB All-Star and finished third in National League Cy Young Award voting after tallying 17 wins. He went on to help the Phillies reach the 2022 World Series. Despite being plagued by injury in 2025, Nola still managed to make 17 starts. Over his stellar career, Nola is one of the club’s all-time strikeout leaders and tops many franchise pitching records.
Michael Lorenzen was a two-way star at Cal State Fullerton, where he was both a pitcher and an outfielder. The versatile player was named an All-American and a finalist for the John Olerud Award in 2012. Lorenzen was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1st round (38th overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut on April 29, 2015 and spent his first seven seasons with the Reds as a starter and reliever before playing for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022.
Lorenzen began the 2023 season with the Detroit Tigers, but was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He became a 2023 MLB All-Star and went on to throw a no-hitter for the Phillies against the Washington Nationals in his home debut with the club. After signing with the Texas Rangers in 2024, Lorenzen was traded to the Kansas City Royals mid-season and remained a Royal through 2025. The Colorado Rockies recently signed him to a one-year deal with a team option for 2027. The 34-year-old right-handed gurler does everything he can to keep his team in the game with quality starts deep into contests.
Greg Weissert was selected by the New York Yankees in the 18th round (548th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Fordham University. The hard-throwing right-handed pitcher was a dominant reliever in Triple-A and was named 2022 International League Pitcher of the Year. Weissert made his MLB debut on August 25, 2022 with the New York Yankees and remained in pinstripes for parts of two seasons. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December 2023 and has been a key bullpen arm ever since.
Known as a versatile reliever with a strong slider, Weissert has transitioned into a reliable late-inning weapon, contributing both in middle relief and high-leverage spots. Through the 2025 season, he has appeared in 163 MLB games with a 13–8 record, 3.28 ERA, and 148 strikeouts. This past year, the trusted stopper posted a 2.82 ERA in 72 appearances (67 innings), including four saves, and maintained a 1.16 WHIP. Weissert was last seen throwing a scoreless inning in the 2025 American League Wild Card game against the New York Yankees, proving he was born to perform under pressure.
Adam Ottavino was drafted in the 30th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays but chose to attend Northeastern University instead. At Northeastern, he became one of the program’s all-time leaders in strikeouts and was the second-highest draft pick in school history when the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 1st round (30th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. Ottavino made his MLB debut on May 29, 2010, logging 5.2 innings in his first big-league game. Claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies in April 2012, Ottavino became a reliable bullpen arm. In 2013, he posted a 2.64 ERA in 51 games. He was named the Rockies’ closer in 2015, but an arm injury and eventual Tommy John surgery sidelined him for the season. After returning, he set a Rockies franchise record with 37 scoreless appearances in 2016 and later in 2018 led the majors in holds with 34.
Ottavino joined the New York Yankees during the 2019 and 2020 seasons before pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 2021, when he made 69 relief appearances and picked up 11 saves. He signed with the New York Mets ahead of the 2022 season, delivering one of his best years with an impressive 2.06 ERA over 66 games as a setup man. His tenure with the Mets also included leadership roles in high-leverage situations through the 2024 campaign before returning to the New York Yankees in 2025. With 727 appearances to his credit, Ottavino has compiled a 41-43 record, 3.48 ERA, 862 strikeouts, and 46 saves. Known for his powerful right-handed delivery and strikeout ability, the 40-year-old veteran has been one of the most durable and trusted relievers throughout his career. Whether used in setup roles and high-leverage innings or as a closer, he can help Team Italy when needed late in the game.
Samuel Aldegheri grew up in Verona, Italy, where baseball is far less prominent than in the U.S. His early exposure to the sport came from watching MLB games and videos abroad, fueling his dream to play at the highest level. He has made seven appearances (five starts) for the Los Angeles Angels over the last two years. The first Italian-born and developed in history to pitch in the Major Leagues made his MLB debut on August 30, 2024 and a week later on September 6th he earned his first big-league win against the Texas Rangers on September 6, 2024 (6 IP, R, 7 K) He spent most of 2025 was in Double-A (8-8 record, 3.72 ERA) before several appearances between the Big League and Triple-A. The crafty left-handed pitcher has worked to refine his game as both a starter and reliever. He possesses a fastball and a plethora of secondary pitches designed to keep hitters guessing.
Dan Altavilla was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 5th round (141st overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Mercyhurst University and made his MLB debut on August 27, 2016. He began his MLB career working out of the Mariners bullpen until 2020, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. Altavilla spent parts of two seasons with the Friars before a stint with the Kansas City Royals in 2024. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2025, when he made 28 relief appearances (29 innings) and recorded a respectable 2.48 ERA . Having signed a deal the Minnesota Twins this year, the seasoned veteran has eight years of MLB experience with 152 appearances (148.2 IP) and 155 strikeouts with a career 4.00 ERA. He is known for providing middle-inning bullpen depth, mixing a fastball with breaking and off-speed pitches to get hitters out in short bursts.
Joe La Sorsa was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 19th round (548th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of St. John’s University. He progressed through the minors with strong strikeout rates, including a 36.3% strikeout rate at Double-A in 2022 before making his MLB debut on May 29, 2023 when throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. After two appearances with the Rays, he was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals in June 2023. The lefty specialist pitched out of the Nationals bullpen in 2023 and 2024, combining for over 30 MLB appearances with a mid-4.00 ERA. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds before the 2025 season and made five major league relief appearances. Known to be effective for his sinker, sweeper and changeup, La Sorsa is currently seeking a new home in the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen.
Matt Festa was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 7th round (207th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of East Stroudsburg University and made his MLB Debut on July 14, 2018 He spent multiple seasons in the Seattle bullpen (2018–2019, 2022–2023) and was idle for a couple years after Tommy John surgery in 2020. Festa split time during the 2024 season between the New York Mets and Texas Rangers, registering a strong 6–0 record with the Rangers in relief. Traded to the Cleveland Guardians on April 30, 2025, he made 63 relief appearances last season. Known as a middle relief specialist with a mix of fastballs, sliders, cutters, and sweepers, Festa provides Team Italy with a lethal mix of effective pitches to attack hitters in the box.
Kyle Nicolas was selected in the 2nd round (61st overall) by the Miami Marlins in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Ball State. In 2021, Nicolas began his professional career with the High-A Beloit Snappers before earning a promotion to the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. On November 29, 2021, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2022, Nicolas pitched for the Double-A Altoona Curve, making 24 appearances (22 starts) with a 3.97 ERA and 101 strikeouts. During the 2023 season, he split time between Altoona and the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, logging a combined 4–7 record with a 5.20 ERA, 127 strikeouts, and two saves. In fact, while at the Triple-A level, he once struck out nine batters in a single relief outing. The Pirates took notice and quickly added him to the 40-man roster, which resulted in his MLB debut on September 19, 2023. Nicolas began 2024 in Triple-A but was called up in April and spent most of the season with the Pirates, appearing in 51 games with a 2–2 record and a 3.95 ERA over 54.2 innings. He remained on the major league roster in 2025, when also struck out 55 batters and recorded a 1–2 record with a 4.74 ERA in 31 relief appearances out of the Pirates bullpen. Featuring a powerful fastball and a solid breaking ball along with his imposing mound presence, long arms and size (6′3″, 225 lb), Nicolas delivers strikes lightening quick.
Known for his dominant college career at the University of Mississippi, where he led Ole Miss to its first national championship and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 2022, Dylan DeLucia was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the 6th round (181st overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft. He has since performed well in the minor leagues, reaching the Double-A level. In 13 starts (62 innings) for the Double-A Akron Rubber Ducks in 2025, DeLucia registered a 5-4 record with 52 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA. MLB scouts note his ability to attack hitters and generate strikeouts. He has shown the ability to limit walks and compete effectively in big moments, traits that served him well in both college and the minors. A solid right-handed pitcher with a fastball, slider and changeup. DeLucia is a welcome addition to the Team Italy pitching arsenal.
Ron Marinaccio was selected by the New York Yankees in the 19th round (572nd overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of Delaware. He made his MLB debut on April 9, 2022 with the New York Yankees, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. In his rookie season, he became a reliable part of the Yankees bullpen, posting a 2.05 ERA in 40 games with excellent command and strong strikeout numbers (56 K). He continued to impress with the Yankees in 2023 and parts of 2024, combining for over 80 relief appearances, before being claimed by the Chicago White Sox on September 23, 2024. Marinaccio was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2025 and appeared in seven MLB games (10.2 IP, 0.84 ERA). Across his big-league career, Marinaccio has appeared in 108 games with a 3.02 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 125.1 innings of relief. With an effective mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches to induce swings and misses. this right-handed Team Italy bullpen arm was built to get quick outs and keep runners on base stranded without crossing the plate.
Alex Jacob was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 16th round (490th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga University, where he threw a no-hitter against Pepperdine and was named West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2021. He was chosen as the 2022 San Diego Padres Pitching Prospect of the Year and made his Major League debut on July 15, 2023 for the Friars. Over parts of 2023–2025, Jacob has made 39 appearances with 47 strikeouts in 51 innings of relief with a 4.06 career ERA. He features a mix of pitches that allow him to work selectively in late-innings relief roles.
Gordon Graceffo was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 5th round (151st overall) of 2021 MLB Draft out of Villanova. His ability to generate soft contact and prevent extra-base hits were among the calling cards that made him stand out as a professional prospect. Named to the 2021 ABCA All-East Region First Team, Graceffo stablished himself as one of the top pitchers in school history despite having both his sophomore and junior seasons truncated by the COVID-19 pandemic. His career 1.193 WHIP ranked third and 2.86 ERA ranked fourth in the record books.
In 2022, he was named the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year after combining for a 10-6 record with a 2.97 ERA, 139 strikeouts, and excellent control across High-A and Double-A. In 2023, Graceffo pitched for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, posting a 4.92 ERA in 18 starts and refining his arsenal against advanced hitters. He made his MLB debut on June 29, 2024, appearing in relief and pitching 4.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds. In 2025, Graceffo split time between the Cardinals bullpen and Triple-A, working primarily as a reliever at the MLB level. He recorded his first major league win on April 30, 2025, tossing five strong innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Graceffo has a combined MLB career 3–2 record with 46 strikeouts in 50.2 innings of work as a spot starter and reliever out of the bullpen. His repertoire includes a fastball that can touch the high-90s and effective breaking pitches.
Alessandro Ercolani tipped off his talent early when he participated in the 2016 Little League World Series. He signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in April 2021 to become the first player from San Marino ever to sign with a Major League organization. In 2023, he made 15 starts for Single-A Bradenton with a 4.43 ERA, and later saw action as one of the youngest players in the Arizona Fall League, which features many of the best prospects in baseball. In 2025, Ercolani helped Double-A Altoona reach the playoffs by putting together a career-high 100.1 innings pitched with a 4.04 ERA, showing continued development and durability, Equipped with a mid-90s fastball, cutter, slider, and changeup, the promising 21-year-old remains a top Pittsburgh Pirates prospect (currently ranked 21st in their system) with the potential to reach Triple-A and eventually PNC Park.
Gabriele Quattrini showcased his pitching prowess at the 2012 European Baseball Academy, a development program for international prospects. Since then, he has played at the highest level in Italy (Serie A) over the past five seasons (46 starts, 60 games). Quattrini has been the driving force for Hotsand Macerata for several seasons and has represented Team Italy in international competitions. At Haarlem Baseball Week 2022, he pitched six shutout innings to lead Italy to a historic win over Cuba. The right-handed pitcher earned a Haarlem Baseball Week 2024 win against Spain with 6.2 innings of quality work. Most recently he threw seven scoreless innings and only allowed three hits in the 1-0 shutout over Germany in the European Baseball Championship quarterfinal game on September 25, 2025. Quattrini is known as a workhorse on the mound with excellent command and is capable of pitching deep into games. He has established himself as one of the elite Italian pitchers in recent times.
Many Italian Americans have participated in all aspects of baseball on the field, in coaching and team management, as broadcasters, and behind the scenes in administration as well. The National Baseball Hall of Fame has recognized many of them including Tony Lazzeri, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Ernie Lombardi, Phil Rizzuto, Tommy Lasorda, Ron Santo, Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, John Smoltz, Craig Biggio, and Mike Piazza.
Although brothers Vince, Joe, and Dom DiMaggio may be the premier Italian American Baseball Family, the Colabellos from Milford, Massachusetts are a perfect example of the modern day Italian American Baseball Family. As a father and son combination, both played professional baseball on the biggest international stages, which makes the Colabellos are a rare breed.
PITCHERS
The 32-year-old fan favorite was lights out in Arizona, where he appeared in more games than any Dodger pitcher (nine), threw more innings than any other Dodger reliever (10.1), and posted the lowest ERA (1.74) of any reliever who pitched more than eight innings this spring. The Omaha, Nebraska native allowed only two earned runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out 13. Despite his remarkable statistics and stellar performance, Pat Venditte will have to wait patiently and pitch for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers before he makes his debut at Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles.
MLB veteran Tommy Layne made 19 appearances out of the New York Yankees bullpen in 2017. The lefty reliever specialist signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in February and appeared in eight 2018 Spring Training games. He pitched seven inning in relief and picked up one save with a 2.57 ERA and six strikeouts. The 33-year-old seasoned professional will start out the 2018 season playing for Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox with hopes of being brought back to Boston, where he spent most of his MLB career from 2014-2016.
In 2017 Sam Gaviglio made 12 appearances (11 starts) with the Seattle Mariners before being claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, where he made another four appearances which included two starts. Overall, he went 4-5 with a 4.36 ERA. The Pacific Northwest right-hander was recently traded to the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned to Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons. It won’t be long before Sam Gaviglio makes his debut at Rogers Centre to give the Blue Jays added pitching depth.
Blue Jays prospect Jordan Romano was named 2017 MiLB Organizational All-Star after pitching for the Single-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays and playing with future MLB stars Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He amassed 138 strikeouts in 138 innings of pitching during the 2017 season, which included 26 starts (7-5, 3.39 ERA). Jordan Romano was invited to 2018 Blue Jays Spring Training, where he appeared in three games and pitched 2.2 inning of relief with a 3.38 ERA. Although he was assigned to Double-A affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats, it would not be a stretch of the imagination to see Jordan Romano join fellow Team Italy pitcher Sam Gaviglio in Buffalo en route to Toronto in 2018.
After spending seven years in the Cleveland Indians organization and pitching for Double-A affiliate Akron RubberDucks in 2017, Luis Lugo signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles in December. The crafty 24-year-old Team Italy left-hander, who was born in Venezuela, went 8-7 in 25 starts with a 4.35 ERA in 2017. He will be forwardly placed in the Orioles minor league system in anticipation of a breakout season to catapult him into MLB.
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Nick Fanti was outstanding during his 2017 season with Single-A affiliate Lakewood BlueClaws, where he was involved in two no-hitters. The former 31st-round 2015 Phillies draft pick threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts on July 17, 2017, just two months after he pitched 8.2 hitless innings with nine strikeouts on May 6, 2017.The 21-year-old Baseball America Low Class A All-Star ended his 2017 campaign with an outstanding 9-2 record with 2.54 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 120.1 innings of work. In 2018 expect Nick Fanti to make his way from the Single-A Advanced Clearwater Threshers up the ladder to MLB.
Francisco Cervelli was the hero on Pirates opening day at Detroit’s Comerica Park on March 30, 2018. Home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo called Tigers’ Nicholas Castellanos safe in a close play at the plate for a walk-off win in the 10th inning. While his fellow Pirates headed straight to dugout with their heads down conceding defeat in extra-innings, Francisco Cervelli knew he had tagged the runner out before Castellanos had touched the plate so he appealed to the umpires for a “courtesy review”. 
In what became MLB’s first controversial ruling of the 2018 regular season, the call was reversed and the game resumed. Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire went nuts, kicking dirt and getting ejected from his first game as Tigers skipper. Cervelli kept his cool and said, “In the past, we used to celebrate. Now, you’ve got to wait, especially on plays like that. It’s tough because they were celebrating. But I won, again.” The marathon contest lasted a Pirates opening day-record 5 hours and 27 minutes before Pittsburgh eventually beat the Tigers 13-10 in 13 innings. Francisco Cervelli orchestrated the barrage of pitchers from behind the plate while going 2-for-6 with 3 RBI. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle praised the Italian-Venezuelan catcher and said, “We’re a better team with Cervelli in the lineup and behind the plate. Truthfully, you have a pitching coach on the field. He and Yadier Molina are the two best I’ve seen. They have a good touch and feel for the pitchers, and they also have a Plan B or Plan C they can go to when Plan A doesn’t show up.”
With MLB All-Star Salvador Perez on the disabled list for four-to-six weeks, Drew Butera was in the 2018 opening day lineup as the primary catcher for the Kansas City Royals. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the Royals 14-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox on March 29. 2018. Nick Leto, Manager of Arizona Operations for the Kansas City Royals is a believer in Team Italy catcher Drew Butera. He said, “I think he is great. I am a big Butera fan. I think he helps us win on a nightly basis.” A proven winner with a 2015 World Series ring to his credit, 34-year-old Drew Butera has caught two no-hitters in his career so far. Being able to handle pitches with grace rarely seen at the Major League level while producing a calming effect on his pitching staff, catcher Drew Butera kept lefty Francisco Liriano focused on every pitch which led him to a no-hitter while playing for the Minnesota Twins against the Chicago White Sox on May 3, 2011. Three years later as the Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Butera caught Josh Beckett’s no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25, 2014. As a result of the monumental accomplishments, he became only the fifth catcher in Major League Baseball history to catch a no-hitter in both leagues.
Italian-born and developed catcher Alberto Mineo was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays (Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons) in the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 draft from the Chicago Cubs (Single-A affiliate South Bend Cubs) on December 14, 2017. The Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) Academy graduate played in a Chicago Cubs Spring Training game against Team Italy at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on March 7, 2017. He entered the contest in the fifth inning as a pinch-runner for Kyle Schwarber and made one plate appearance later in the game for the Cubs. Alberto Mineo was assigned to Single-A Advanced affiliate Dunedin Blue Jays on April 1, 2018.
Cesarre Astorri, a 19-year-old FIBS Academy graduate, signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on January 8, 2018. The Italian catcher from Parma was assigned to the Arizona Rookie League Athletics. With two MLB veteran catchers and two up-and-coming MLB prospects on the horizon prepared to go to battle for Team Italy in the 2020 Olympics, the Azzurri have the potential to make an impact in Tokyo. Let’s wish Francisco Cervelli, Drew Butera, Alberto Mineo and Cesarre Astorri the best so that they remain healthy and committed to the future of the game abroad.
The D-backs went on to beat the 2017 National League Champions 6-1, and 31-year-old second baseman Daniel Descalso could not have been happier to have taken the three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher deep. “I think lefties are still allowed to get hits off him,” said Descalso. Last year in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, infielder Daniel Descalso was also an early catalyst for the Team Italy offense as he drove in each of the Italians’ first three runs against Venezuela on March 11, 2017. Two days later in the WBC tiebreaker rematch game against Venezuela, Daniel Descalso was once again responsible for Team Italy‘s go-ahead run with his RBI single in the first inning. Having been on the same 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals team that Team Italy coach Nick Punto played on under the leadership of Italian American manager Tony La Russa, Daniel Descalso is a proven winner and a consistent run producer. 
He can be effective off the bench as a pinch-hitter under pressure and come through in the clutch. In 35 pinch-hit plate appearances during the 2017 season, Daniel Descalso hit .231 (6-for-26)/.429 OBP/.462 SLG with two home runs and nine RBI, ranking fifth in the National League in on-base percentage and sixth in OPS (.890). At Chase Field, he hit .271 (49-for-181)/.371 OBP/.453 SLG with 7 home runs and 29 RBI in 69 games. Daniel Descalso had 2 walk-off hits, including his first career game-ending homer against his former team the Colorado Rockies on April 30, 2017. He also logged his first career inside-the-park home run against eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros on August 17, 2017. The nine-year MLB veteran is a tough out for pitchers in do-or-die situations because he is able to keep his at-bats alive by being patient at the plate until he gets a pitch he can do some damage with. 
As a dependable utility position player with versatility, Daniel Descalso can be put in the starting lineup as a second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, or left fielder. He can even be called upon for mop-up duty as a relief pitcher when a game is out of reach, and the team wants to rest its bullpen. During the course of his three career appearances on the mound, Daniel Descalso has retired all seven MLB hitters he has faced. In fact, he is about to set the record for the most career batters faced without allowing a baserunner. Only four other pitchers in major league history have faced more batters without allowing a hit or walk than Daniel Descalso. With a career 0.000 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched), he needs one more out to tie the record and two more outs to become the most perfect pitcher in baseball history.
Opting to get a major league baseball contract instead of returning to the minor leagues, Team Italy first baseman Chris Colabello remains an unsigned free agent. After being invited by the Chicago Cubs and the Texas Rangers for pro ball try outs, 34-year-old slugger Chris Colabello joined the 2018 Major League Baseball Players Association Free Agent Spring Training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The proud Italian American has since authored a new book with hitting instructor Bobby Tewksbary entitled 
Azzurri third baseman Alex Liddi is the face of Italian baseball. With the opportunity to spur the growth of the game in Europe by competing at the sport’s highest level, he has inspired young Italian players including Marten Gasparini, who begins 2018 with Kansas City Royals Single-A affiliate Lexington Legends. Alex Liddi traveled to New England during the offseason to work with Bobby Tewksbary on his swing, and it paid off as the first Italian-born and developed player to play in MLB (Seattle Mariners, 2011). The 29-year-old Italian hero was recently offered a minor league contact with the Kansas City Royals. In five 2018 Royals Spring Training games in Arizona, he hit .333 (2-for-6) with one home run. Alex Liddi will begin at Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals with hopes of returning to the Big Leagues in September when the 40-man roster kicks in.
Versatile Team Italy utility player Rob Segedin can handle first and third base as well as left and right field. Acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the New York Yankees in 2016, Rob Segedin performed well for Team Italy in the 2017 WBC. He displayed excellent defense in right field and hit .375 with a double, home run and two RBI in the international competition. Due to injuries which plagued him in 2017, Rob Segedin played in only 27 games between his short time for a quick espresso in Los Angeles and his limited stint with Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City. He and Team Italy switch-pitcher Pat Venditte will both wear Oklahoma City Dodgers uniforms at the start of the 2018 season as they patiently await for Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to call them up to the major league level.
Team Italy shortstop Gavin Cecchini played second base for the New York Mets during 2018 Mets Spring Training. He also learned how to become a third baseman so that he would be more valuable to the team while working to improve his swing. Based on his two home runs and two extra-base hits at 2018 Spring Training, it appears Gavin Cecchini has added some pop to his stroke. He will continue to make progress under the guidance and supervision of Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas 51s hitting coach Joel Chimelis at the start of the 2018 season. There is no doubt Gavin Cecchini will make his way back into MLB soon and join Team Italy outfielder Brandon Nimmo on the New York Mets roster.
Drew Maggi signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians last November and never looked back. Hitting at a remarkable .342 clip (13-for-38) with 11 runs and four RBI during 2018 Indians Spring Training in Arizona, the 28-year-old Team Italy utility player with eight seasons under his belt in the minor leagues made a favorable impression on manager Terry Francona. With a stacked lineup and an all-star cast infield, the Tribe’s skipper has no room on his Big League roster for third baseman Drew Maggi at this time. He was placed on the restricted list for the Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers on April 4, 2018.
During a Spring Training minor league game against the Chicago White Sox at the Cincinnati Reds minor league training facility in Goodyear, Arizona on March 17, 2018, Team Italy’s Leonardo Seminati went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, “Grande Leo” Seminati lived up to his name. “He’s going to be big,” said Billy Hamilton when asked about the promising 19-year-old Cincinnati Reds prospect. Fast forward from the moment FIBS Academy graduate Leo Seminati signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds on July 2, 2017, and most would agree that “Grande Leo” has traveled light years ahead of expectations. 
Just ask MLBPipeline.com reporter Jonathan Mayo, who wrote 
”He’s a worker. He’s so prepared, and he works,” said NY Mets skipper Mickey Callaway. ”You get a player like that and the results are going to come. I’m really proud of him for the way he goes about his business. Very impressive. He’s locked in every pitch. Those are the type of players you need to win.” Brandon Nimmo has certainly paid his dues to gain entry to compete with the game’s elite in MLB. Last year he hit .260 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 177 at-bats for the New York Mets. During 2018 Mets Spring Training in Florida, Brandon Nimmo auditioned for the leadoff hitter position and made the strong case for an Opening Day roster spot. Batting .306 with 11 extra-base hits, three home runs and 11 RBI in Grapefruit League play, he earned the right to be the first name listed on the New York Mets lineup card. 
Brandon Nimmo has not disappointed so far this young 2018 regular season. He is currently htting .375 (3-for-8) with one double, three walks and four runs scored. Brandon Nimmo was a first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 2011. Scouts admired him for being a very patient hitter at the plate and for rarely swinging outside the strike zone. His selective approach to hitting continues to this day in MLB as witnessed by his 15.3% walk rate and .379 OBP in 2017. The Team Italy outfielder fits the mold of a perfect leadoff hitter candidate, and he should relish in that spot should he be given the chance to play every day.
Chicago Cubs Italian American manager Joe Maddon knows how special a player Team Italy outfielder John Andreoli truly is. Despite successful campaigns at the upper level of the Chicago Cubs minor leagues from 2013-2017, he was always cut short of making the Big League club as a result of being overshadowed by a star-studded Cubbie outfield and eclipsed by up-and-coming prospects. John Andreoli spent his final three years playing for Triple-A affiliate Iowa, where he hit .258 with 65 doubles, 21 triples, 31 homers, 142 RBI and an incredible 101 stolen bases. Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon praised John Andreoli in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC) after Team Italy scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat host Mexico, 10-9, at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco. John Andreoli was the difference in the game as he drove in the winning run with a walk-off single and hit a home run earlier in the first inning. Maddon said, “I’m so happy for him, he’s such a good kid. He works so hard, he cares so much. A few days before the WBC I saw him bear down in front of one of our video computers looking at pitchers he might face in the tournament. So I give him a lot of credit. It’s absolutely great.” 
Playing for Team Italy in the 2017 WBC, John Andreoli went 6-for-16 with five runs, seven RBI and three home runs. With little chance of making the MLB roster in the Cubs organization, the 2011 Chicago Cubs 17th-round draft pick elected free agency on November 6, 2017. Despite having to leave the team that drafted him out of the University of Connecticut, John Andreoli enjoyed his time talking with veterans Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo about hitting with two strikes and playing with the likes of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell. Cubs manager Joe Maddon told the team’s TV broadcasters that John Andreoli “plays with his hair on fire.” No doubt the Chicago skipper hated to see him leave the organization, but in the end it was the best thing for the Italian American grinder. In January the Seattle Mariners signed John Andreoli to a minor league contract with an invite to 2018 Spring Training. He played in 19 Cactus League games before being assigned to Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers. John Andreoli was the leadoff hitter in his first game playing for the Tacoma Rainiers on April 5, 2018. The 27-year-old prospect stands to have a chance for a promotion to the Seattle Mariners for his MLB debut when the 40-man roster takes effect on September 1, 2018.
Team Italy switch-hitter Marten Gasparini, who signed for $1.3 million with the Kansas City Royals in 2013, is the key player baseball insiders believe will follow in Alex Liddi’s footsteps as the second Italian-born and developed player in the Big Leagues. He is still heralded as Europe’s top MLB prospect and is progressing every day up the ladder in the minor leagues. Nick Leto, Manager of Arizona Operations for the Kansas City Royals, was instrumental in the Royals’ signing of Marten Gasparini. Leto said, “There’s great belief in Marten’s ability. It’s a process. All players develop differently. There’s no question about Marten’s ability, it’s just time and reps. Switch-hitting is a really difficult skill to develop. Marten has experienced a lot of things for the first time since signing a professional contract. His intelligence, maturity, and awareness are going to allow these lessons to stick and be applied. There’s no doubt Marten will be a major league player, not a just a player, a special major league player, a championship player.” 
Adapting to his new position in the outfield from shortstop, Marten Gasparini played for Single-A affiliate Lexington Legends in 2017. He got a taste of the Big Leagues when he made two appearances in 2018 Royals Spring Training games alongside Team Italy slugger Alex Liddi, who 
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