Growing up a hometown Bronx bomber fan and idolizing Yankee Derek Jeter, 22-year-old Concordia College grad Chris Motta never pictured himself pitching professionally in the Australian Baseball League. However, a twist of fate for this six-foot-two converted right-handed pitcher while training in Florida led the former catcher to the starting rotation for the Canberra Cavalry.

After volunteering to pitch so that the regular but weary Concordia Clippers‘ arms could get some rest, Motta was spotted on the mound by a visiting scout–who suggested he abandon his everyday catching duty in favor of pitching on the hill permanently. A two-way player at Concordia, Motta transitioned to a full-time pitcher during his final two years of college. Taking the scout’s advice to heart and leaving the comforts of mother’s home cooking, he headed south to Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida–former home to Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training and current Probound USA Baseball training headquarters–to work religiously on pitching and develop into a hard-throwing prospect. Former Cavalry manager Steve Schrenk couldn’t help but notice Motta’s mid-90’s fastball, excellent mechanics and control. Although Schrenk did not return to Canberra this season as the manager, he played an integral part in the recruitment of valuable imports this season. Motta met with Schrenk, who encouraged the New Yorker to head to Australia to play for the Cavalry so that he could get the exposure necessary to take his pitching to the next level professionally.

The young and versatile athlete spent the 2011 summer switching off between catcher and relief pitcher for the the Niagara Power, a faith-based baseball team affiliate of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes with a 40-game schedule that includes competing in the New York Collegiate Baseball League–one of the best summer wood bat leagues in the U.S.–as well as playing against other top-ranked collegiate teams. The hard work is paying off for Motta in the Australian Baseball League as his 3-3 record, 5.83 ERA and 34 strikeouts in his 57.2 innings pitched for the Canberra Cavalry speaks volumes about his true potential. In each of the American’s 12 starts, he has progressively become more dominant.

Schrenk’s recommendation of adding “Gotta Hava” Motta to his list of recruits was a sound move, and the Cavalry have since catapulted to top of the ABL standings as a result. An added bonus to the Canberra roster, Motta’s mother will add her culinary flair to the already delectable lineup of talent when she joins her son and his teammates in Australia to cheer on the Cavalry down the stretch in 2013. With the injection of his favorite homemade dishes brought into the mix, the best of Chris Motta and his mom’s world-class cooking will undoubtedly arouse the senses of MLB scouts savvy enough to scoop up this irresistable combo while the servings to the dish are hot and the free agent is available.