After leading Team Italy in runs (5), hits (11), home runs (2), RBI (17), batting average (.423), slugging percentage (.654), on-base percentage (.531), on-base plus slugging (1.185), walks (6), and stolen bases (2), Azzurri first baseman and Cincinnati Reds prospect Leonardo “Grande Leo” Seminati was named and honored as a member of the 2017 WBSC U-18 All-World Team during the closing ceremonies of the 12-country international tournament at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. A sold-out stadium of fans and supporters–including 19 of his Azzurri teammates, Team Italy U-18 manager John Cortese along with coaches Rolando Cretis, Stefano Cappuccini, Gianluca Marenghi, Daniele Santolupo as well as FIBS delegation manager Fabrizio De Robbio, trainer Graziano Abbate, physician Guido Squarcia and FIBS media representative Marco Landi–cheered enthusiastically as Seminati stood proudly on the podium next to fellow players selected to the 2017 U-18 All-World Team.

Following the memorable night of glory under the lights at Thunder Bay’s Port Arthur Stadium, Leonardo Seminati packed his bags and headed in a different direction than Team Italy. Unlike most traveling back to Rome, Grande Leo flew to Goodyear, Arizona to report to Cincinnati Reds instructional league camp. Impressed by the way the Team Italy captain and MLB prospect carried himself and his Italian squad in the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, the Reds wasted no time in getting Seminati on their home turf to begin the process of molding this European all-star into a world-class ballplayer. Leonardo Seminati is a breath of fresh air as baseball media and fans alike will soon find out as he embarks on his minor league journey with sights of a career in the Big Leagues. Grande Leo conducts himself professionally on and off the field. His coaches, teammates and family have nothing but praise for the outstanding 17-year-old slugger. He is one of the most approachable, responsible and intelligent young competitors one will ever meet in the game today. Like promising 20-year-old Italian Kansas City Royals prospect Marten Gasparini, Cincinnati Reds prospect Leonardo Seminati has a bright future ahead of him in Major League Baseball. Thanks to the efforts of 29-year-old Alex Liddi, who was the first Italian-born-and-raised player to make it to MLB, the table has been set for Marten Gasparini and Leonardo Seminati to represent Italy as a viable breeding ground for up-and-coming baseball talent on the global stage. Forza ragazzi! Forza Italia!!!

FIBS media representative Roberto Angotti with Team Italy’s Leonardo Seminati at the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay (Photo by Azzurri coach Stefano Cappuccini)