Former Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Sam Gaviglio and Joe Biagini are together again playing for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Once inseparable as part of the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation and again in 2019 while providing relief out the Jay’s bullpen, Sam Gaviglio and Joe Biagini have picked up where they left off three years ago together after being summoned by Team Italy manager and National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza to lead the Italians to success in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, “Joe and Sam are two of my all-time favorites. Both did a tremendous job for us, better than anyone expected. Both are first class individuals also and proud Italians.”
For the Biagini family, playing for Team Italy is close to the heart since relatives hail from Lucca. Rob Biagini, a former San Francisco Giants pitching prospect, helped Team Italy win the 1979 European Baseball Championship. He later led Parma to the 1980 European Champions Cup title. During a recent pre-WBC workout in Scottsdale, Arizona, Joe Biagini said, “Italy is in our soul.”
The road to MLB for Biagini was not so easy. After redshirting and playing one year at the College of San Mateo, the talented right-handed pitcher transferred to UC Davis, where he made 13 appearances out of the bullpen and went 3-1. Biagini was chosen by the San Francisco Giants in the 26th round of the 2011 MLB draft after his redshirt sophomore season. He was later selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2015 Rule 5 draft.
Biagini made his MLB debut on April 8, 2016 when he pitched a perfect ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox and posted his first career strikeout facing David Ortiz. The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays made to it to the American League Championship Series. During his six postseason appearances against Baltimore, Texas and Cleveland, Biagini threw 7.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. He was the only rookie to start and finish the season with the team and as a result received the 2016 Blue Jays Rookie of the Year Award.
Former Toronto first base coach Tim Leiper remembers that 2016 season like it was yesterday. He said, “Joe got better as the season progressed. He was like new found money. The Blue Jays would have never reached the postseason without him.. He is his own guy who can be light-hearted, but when it comes to pitching he is all business.”
Biagini was traded by Toronto to the Houston Astros along with Aaron Sanchez and Cal Stevenson in exchange for Derek Fisher on July 31, 2019. He spent the remainder of the 2019 season and part of the 2020 season with Houston before signing with the Chicago Cubs on December 17, 2020. Biagini was last seen pitching in MLB on October 3, 2021 when picking up the win after throwing three scoreless innings of relief against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In a twist of fate, Joe Biagini and Sam Gaviglio actually went head-to-head in a pitching matchup at Safeco Field on June 9, 2017 when the Seattle Mariners hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. M’s starter Sam Gaviglio made his MLB debut just one month prior and held the Jays to two runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings of work. Trailing 2-1 with little offense against Blue Jays starting pitcher Joe Biagini, Seattle finally rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh and eventually won 4-2. Biagini reflected on the experience and said, “Too bad we were not playing in the National League at the time so we could have actually faced each other (in the batter’s box).”
Although it may be Joe Biagini’s first time pitching for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Sam Gaviglio returns to the Azzurri squad after his WBC pitching debut against Venezuela at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 11, 2017. He threw four scoreless innings against an explosive offense powered byMLB All-Stars Jose Altuve, Martin Prado, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, and Salvador Perez before surrendering two runs in top of the fifth inning. Despite an impressive start, he did not receive a decision in the Team Italy 11-10 extra-inning loss to Venezuela.
Gaviglio was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2008 in the 40th round but did not sign in favor of playing ball at Oregon State University instead. However, he eventually signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB draft. Gaviglio was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Ty Kelly on November 20, 2014. He made 12 appearances (including 11 starts) for the 2017 Seattle Mariners before being claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, for whom he made another four appearances (including two starts) before the end of the 2017 season.
Gaviglio was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on March 21, 2018. Used primarily as a starting pitcher during the 2018 season, the Ashland, Oregon native worked exclusively out of the Toronto bullpen in 2019 when he was the MLB leader in innings pitched (95.2). Former Blue Jays’ coach Tim Leiper said, “I have followed Sammy since the day I worked with him during the 2013 Arizona Fall League. His character is second to none. He is so upbeat, ultra prepared, super dependable and a solid teammate. Sammy anchored the Blue Jays pitching staff.”
He was last seen in the big leagues when making four relief appearances for the Jays in 2020. Gaviglio signed with the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2021 and compiled a 6-4 record in 15 starts. While pitching in Asia, he noticed a different style of baseball being played. Gaviglio said, “The game is placed at a much faster pace. It’s more like small ball and about manufacturing runs.” With the 2023 World Baseball Classic taking place in Taichung, Taiwan for Team Italy, he hopes his recent experience playing in Asia will give the Italians an advantage. For Biagini and Gaviglio, winning Pool A against Cuba (March 9th at 6 am ET), Chinese Taipei (March 10th at 6 am ET), Panama (March 10th at 11 pm ET) and Kingdom of the Netherlands (March 12th at 7 am ET) means everything.
Former Toronto coach and current Team Canada coach Tim Leiper concluded, “The World Baseball Classic (WBC) provides the opportunity to bring them (Biagini and Gaviglio) together again. Both are versatile pitchers who have been in high-leverage positions so they can start or pitch relief, which is great for Team Italy. There are not many pitchers around who have the same skill set. They can compete and are capable of showing how good they are in the WBC to put themselves on the map again. The international competition commands respect.”
Selected in the 17th round of the 2017 draft out of University of Oklahoma by the Miami Marlins, right-handed reliever Vincenzo Aiello played in professional baseball for four seasons (2017-21) in the Marlins and White Sox organizations. He recorded 11 wins and a 2.91 ERA in 93 outings in his stints between Rookie League and Double-A. In the summer of 2021, he was placed on the injured list while playing in Winston-Salem and elected free agency at the end of the year. Most recently the 28-year-old Aiello signed with his hometown team, the Atlantic League’s Staten Island FerryHawks. He made 18 appearances on the mound and allowed 19 earned runs in 22 innings.
GLENN ALBANESEJR.
24-year-old right-handed pitcher Glenn Albanese Jr. was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 15th round of the 2021 draft out of University of Louisville. In 38 appearances at the High-A and Double-A level, the Illinois native and 6’7” reliever compiled a 1-2 record (3.34 ERA) with five saves and 68 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. Relative TJ Galidari played in the NHL from 2010-16.
ALEX BASSANI
Alex Bassani is one of the pitching veterans in Italian baseball. Having grown up in Bologna with multiple experiences in the Italian Baseball League since 2013, Bassani broke out in 2017 in Novara with a strong season at the plate and on the mound. The 32-year-old hurler later moved to Rimini (2018) and back to Bologna (2019-present), where he won three consecutive Italian championships and the European Champions Cup. He has represented Team Italy in 20 games to date. Bassani made his Azzurri debut in 2017 at the European Baseball Series and has been called upon in every international competition ever since. He earned the save in the 2021 European Baseball Championship bronze medal game against Spain and was the winning pitcher against Curacao in the 2022 Haarlem Week tourney.
JOE BIAGINI
Joseph Carlo Biagini will represent Team Italy for the first time at the 2023 WBC. The 32-year-old right-handed pitcher was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 26th round of the 2011 draft. The Toronto Blue Jays picked him up on the waiver wire during the 2015 Rule 5 Draft, and the California native made his MLB debut on April 8, 2016. Working out of the bullpen as an effective setup pitcher during the regular season and also pitching in the postseason, Biagini was named 2016 Blue Jays Rookie of the Year. He became a fan favorite and made two TV appearances on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Biagini was traded to the Houston Astros alongside Aaron Sanchez and Cal Stevenson for Derek Fisher on July 31, 2019. He had brief stints with Houston in 2020 and with the Chicago Cubs in 2021. However, he returned to the Blues Jays organization in 2022 and compiled a 4-2 record (3.46 ERA) in 30 appearances including five starts for Triple-A Buffalo.
MATTEO BOCCHI
The 26-year-old Parma native competed in the 2008 Little League World Series while on the first-ever Italian squad (Emilia Little League) to play in the international youth competition and a decade later on March 20, 2018 became the first Italian-born student-athlete to play for the College World Series-bound University of Texas Longhorns. Right-handed pitcher Matteo Bocchi signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on June 13, 2019 and reached as high as AAA playing for the Iowa Cubs. During his two seasons in the minors, he compiled a 4-3 record with one save in 37 appearances (3.90 ERA. 94.2 IP, 109 K).
RYAN CASTELLANI
Philadelphia-born Ryan Castellani was selected out of high school in the 2nd round in of the 2014 draft by the Colorado Rockies. He was named Baseball America High-A All-Star while pitching for the Modesto Nuts in the California League. Despite some injuries along the way, the right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut for the Colorado Rockies on August 8, 2020 and remained in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season. He managed to make only one start for the Rockies in 2021 before signing with the Oakland Athletics on March 11, 2022. Castellani pitched only 2.2 innings in three appearances for the A’s during the 2022 season.
TIAGO DA SILVA
A Team Italy WBC veteran pitcher having played in the 2009, 2013 and 2017 editions, 37-year-old Tiago da Silva signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 30, 2015 and pitched at Single-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire before returning to the Mexican Leagues. He was awarded the 2014 Mexican League Reliever of the Year while pitching for Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen. The Brazilian-Italian pitcher led San Marino to back-to-back Italian championship titles in 2021 (when he won Italian Baseball Series MVP) and 2022.
ALESSANDRO ERCOLANI
San Marino-born pitcher Alessandro Ercolani signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. He is the very first player to sign an MiLB contract from the small country located in northwest Italy with just over 33,000 citizens. The right hander has since made 20 Rookie ball appearances and posted a 2.77 ERA in 48.2 innings of work with 59 strikeouts. The 18-year-old prospect is the youngest member of the Team Italy WBC roster after recently playing in the U18 World Cup and European Baseball Championship.
NICK FANTI
Left-handed pitcher Nick Fanti makes an encore appearance at the 2023 WBC after making his Team Italy debut at the 2017 WBC in Jalisco, Mexico, where he threw a scoreless inning of relief against Puerto Rico. The 26-year-old New York native was selected in the 31st round of the 2015 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school. He was named to the FCL Post-Season All-Star team in 2016 and a Baseball America Low-A All-Star in 2017. Fanti pitched four seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system and reached High-A in 2018 prior to a stint in the Australian Baseball League playing for the Sydney Blue Sox. Multiple injuries resulted in a Tommy John surgery, and a shoulder injury kept him off the field during the 2022 season.
MATT FESTA
Selected in the seventh round of the 2016 draft by the Seattle Mariners, the Brooklyn-born and Staten Island native Matthew Festa made his MLB pitching debut on July 14, 2018 and subsequently made the 2019 Mariners’ Opening Day roster. After Tommy John surgery, he once again made the Mariners’ Opening Day roster in 2022 when the 29-year-old reliever made 53 regular season appearances (2-0, 2 SV, 4.17 ERA, 64K, 54 IP) and two postseason appearances (0-0, 2.70 ERA, 2 K, 3.1 IP against the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros).
SAM GAVIGLIO
Right-handed pitcher Sam Gaviglio returns to Team Italy after making his Azzurri debut during the 2017 WBC when he started the second game of the tournament against Venezuela (4.2 innings, 2 runs allowed). The 32-year-old Oregon native was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He subsequently spent four seasons in MLB (11-18 record, 4.88 ERA and 296.2 innings in 98 games pitched) playing for the Seattle Mariners (2017), Kansas City Royals (2017) and the Toronto Blue Jays (2018-20). Gaviglio has since signed minor league contracts with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent the 2022 season pitching for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers and compiled a 6-4 record (6.34 ERA) in 17 appearances including nine starts.
MATT HARVEY
Vying for an MLB comeback after knee surgery, pitcher Matt Harvey will represent Team Italy in the 2023 WBC. Thanks to his Italian mother, the 33-year-old right-handed pitcher will be in the Italian rotation after his 2022 season between High-A and Triple A (8-1, 3.72 ERA in 13 starts). Born in New London, Connecticut and selected in the first round of the 2010 draft by the New York Mets out of University of North Carolina, Harvey pitched six seasons for the Mets. He reunites with Mike Piazza, who managed Team USA in the World Futures Game in 2011 when Matt picked up the save for the Americans. Among his highlights of his first three seasons, he broke a franchise record for a debuting pitcher with 11 strikeouts against Arizona in 2012. Harvey was named MLB All-Star in 2013 and started game five of the 2015 World Series against the Kansas City Royals. From 2019 to 2021, he pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles. During his illustrious MLB career, Harvey compiled a 50-66 record with a 4.42 ERA and 867 strikeouts in 966.1 innings pitched.
JOE LASORSA
Joe LaSorsa is a 24-year-old New York native and a promising left-handed pitcher who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in 18th round of the 2019 draft out of St. John’s University. He will begin his fourth professional season by competing in his first international tourney with Team Italy in the 2023 WBC. He made 39 relief appearances and one start for a total of 73.1 innings between High-A and Double-A during the 2022 season when he compiled a 7-3 record with 8 saves (2.33 ERA) and 87 strikeouts in 73.1 innings of work.
BRAXTON LORENZINI
Pitcher Braxton Lorenzini will make his Team Italy debut in the 2023 WBC. Selected by the San Diego Padres in the 33rd round of the 2015 draft out of California’s West Hills College, the 27-year-old Colorado native and right-handed reliever played six seasons in the minor leagues between 2015 and 2021. He made 94 appearances and registered a 11-9 record (6.17 ERA) with 139 strikeouts in 143.1 innings as a part of the San Diego Padres (2015-17) and the Colorado Rockies (2018-21) organizations.
JOEY MARCIANO
Related to undefeated American boxing legend Rocky Marciano, pitcher Joey Marciano has the same fighting spirit on the mound. With a late start to his baseball career playing for the first time as a freshman in high school, he made up for lost time and became a pitching sensation at Southern Illinois University. Selected in the 36th round of the 2017 draft by the San Francisco Giants, Joey Marciano had high hopes to pitching professionally. Despite being named 2017 ACL Post-Season All-Star and 2018 ACL Post-Season All-Star, he retired from the game. Marciano returned to the Giants organization in 2021 after the pandemic-induced year off. With a stronger pitching repertoire and a solidified relief role, he moved up to Double-A and Triple-A in 2022 and compiled a 4-2 record with 9 saves (4.12 ERA) and 62 strikeouts in 59 innings of work.
BRIAN MARCONI
After four seasons in the NCAA’s Atlantic 10 Conference pitching for the George Mason Patriots, Brian Marconi signed a minor league contract on June 12, 2019 with the Philadelphia Phillies, his hometown organization. Forced to miss the entire 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he broke through High-A, Double-A and Triple-A in 2021 as a dominant closer. Marconi earned the Double-A Northeast League Reliever of the Year Award and named to the All-Star team. The 25-year-old compiled a 4-7 record (4.40 ERA) with 18 saves and 68 strikeouts in 57.1 innings of work during the 2022 season in between Double-A and Triple-A stints.
VINNY NITTOLI
32-year-old right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli began his professional career after being selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 2014 draft. He eventually ventured in the Indy League and pitched for St. Paul Saints as a reliever and starter. Nittoli later signed minor league contracts with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 before returning to the Seattle Mariners organization in 2020. He made his MLB pitching debut for the M’s on June 23, 2021 against the Colorado Rockies. Nittoli spent time in Triple-A pitching in the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays organizations before returning to MLB in 2022 for two appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies. On January 12, 2023, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
ANDRE PALLANTE
Selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals out of UC Irvine, Andre Pallante emerged as one of the best pitchers for the Redbirds in 2022. The right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut on March 10, 2022 and a total of 47 appearances during the regular season including 10 starts for the Redbirds in 2022 with a 6-5 record (3.17 ERA) in 108 innings pitched. He also made one Wild Card Series appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies. Pallante will make his Team Italy pitching debut in the 2023 WBC.
JEFFREY PASSANTINO
Selected in the 40th round of the 2017 draft by the Chicago Cubs out of Lipscomb University in Nashville, right-handed pitcher Jeffrey Passantino played three minor league seasons before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization in 2021. The 27-year-old Florida native got as high as Triple-A during the 2022 season and compiled an overall 3-2 record (4.47 ERA) in 22 minor league appearances with 42 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched. He recently pitched for Gigantes de Carolina in the Winter League in Puerto Rico and allowed just one run in 11.2 innings pitched.
NICOLO PINAZZI
Nicolò Pinazzi was born and raised in Milan where he played for local club Milano 1946. The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020. For the past two seasons, he pitched in the Rookie League and compiled a 5-2 record (3.95 ERA) with 98 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched), earning him a promotion to Single-A Daytona at the end of the 2022 season.
CLAUDIO SCOTTI
A product of the FIBS Academy, MLB pitching prospect Claudio Scotti signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1, 2016. After two years in the Pirates organization, he returned to pitch for Team Italy during Haarlem Baseball Week and the Super 6 in 2018. Scotti enjoyed success when signing with UnipolSai Bologna and leading the team to two consecutive Italian championship titles in 2019 and 2020 as well as winning the European Champions Cup in 2019. After pitching seven scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts for Team Italy in the 2021 U23 European Baseball Championship in Verona and after two starts at the European Championships in Turin in 2021, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on October 2, 2021. Scotti spent the 2022 season in the Rookie League and made five appearances including two saves.
MITCHELL STUMPO
Mitchell Anthony Stumpo signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 2, 2019. The 26-year-old North Carolina native and right-handed pitcher nearly retired twice after suffering an arm injury in high school and not being drafted after a successful collegiate career at Guildford College. He got his chance for redemption and quickly ascended up the ladder being named 2021 MiLB Organization All-Star Stumpo helped the Triple-A Reno Aces win the 2022 Pacific Coast Championship with 45 appearances and a record of 1-2 (3.53 ERA) with eight saves and 51 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched.
VIN TIMPANELLI
Vin Timpanelli signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on August 18, 2020. The Staten Island, New York native played most of his college career at New Jersey’s Ramapo College as a catcher but during his senior year he started throwing some bullpen sessions. After the Covid-plagued 2020, Timpanelli focused on pitching and was subsequently picked up as a free agent by the Cincinnati Reds. After spending his time at High-A Dayton in 2021 and part of 2022, he advanced to Double-A Chattanooga. During his 2022 campaign, he made 32 appearances and compiled a 1-1 record (5.10 ERA) with 2 saves and 79 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched.
MICHELE VASSALOTTI
The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee Brewers on June 9, 2017 and made his Rookie League debut the same year. He made his Team Italy debut in the 2017 U18 World Cup. Michele Vassalotti earned Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week in 2019 and later won Player of the Game honors twice for the Brisbane Bandits during the 2021 Australian Baseball League season. Pitching for the Brewers’ Single-A Carolina Mudcats in 2022, he compiled a 9-2 record (2.64 ERA) with seven saves and 56 strikeouts in 47.1 innings.
STEPHEN WOODS JR.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2013 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, right-handed pitcher Stephen WoodsJr. chose to attend SUNY Albany and play collegiate ball. He was selected again in the eighth round of the 2016 draft by the San Francisco and signed a minor league contract on June 22 2016. On December 20, 2017, Woods was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Denard Span, Christian Arroyo and Matt Krook as part of the deal that brought Evan Longoria to San Francisco. After sitting out during the 2018 season due to injury, he pitched 86 innings at the HIgh-A level and secured a sub 2 ERA before being selected as the fourth overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2019 MLB Rule 5 Draft. After 2020 Spring Training, Woods was dropped off the 26-man roster and sent back to the Tampa Bay Rays. He was later traded for and acquired by the Kansas City Royals. Woods reached the Triple-A level in 2022. During his minor league career, he has appeared in 116 games including 52 starts and has complied a 23-19 record (3.58 ERA) with 352 strikeouts in 339.2 innings pitched.
Selected by the Tampa Bays Rays in the 17th round of the 2015 draft out of the University of Pacific Stockton native Brett Sullivan remained in the same organization until late 2021 when he signed a short-lived minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran minor league catcher and outfielder was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Victor Caratini on April 6, 2022. During the 2022 season, he played Triple-A ball and compiled a .285 batting average with nine home runs and 81 RBI. Although catcher has been his primary position, he has also played third base and left field during seven-year minor league career.
VITO FRESCIA JR.
The catcher/first baseman from New York won the 2015 Power Showcase Home Run Derby at Marlins Park in Miami and enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Hofstra University. Vito Friscia Jr. was selected in the 40th round of the 2019 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. After playing Double-A and Triple-A ball during the 2022 season, he was named MiLB Organization All-Star by the Philadelphia Phillies. Vito made his Team Italy debut at the 2021 European Championship, where the slugger hit three home runs in games against Austria, Croatia and Israel (10-for-19 with 11 RBI). He returned again in 2022 playing for the Azzurri during Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands.
DOMINIC MIROGLIO
Selected in the 40th round of 2013 draft by the Oakland Athletics and also in the 16th round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, catcher Dominic Miroglio chose not to sign in order to attend college at UCLA and the University of San Francisco. Once again selected in the 20th round of the 2017 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, he signed a minor league contract and quickly became one of the most highly-rated catchers within the D-backs organization. The 2018 Baseball America High-A All-Star made his way to Triple-A last season for 63 games and hit 10 home runs.
ALBERTO MINEO
Growing up in Gorizia and playing for Ronchi dei Legionari New Black Panthers as a youth, catcher and first baseman Alberto Mineo signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs at age 16 on November 20, 2010. He remained in the Cubs organization for seven years before being claimed on the waiver wire by the Toronto Blue Jays on December 14, 2017. He reached as high as Triple-A ball in 2018. Mineo spent 2019 in Double-A before being signing another minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on February 12, 2020 and later returning to Italy, where he won two straight European Cups in Parma (2021-22). Having made his national senior team debut at the 2015 Premier 12 and subsequently represented Team Italy in all other major international competitions (he has played 50 total games with the national team), he is one of the finest Italian-born and developed players in recent history.
Ben DeLuzio is a solid outfielder who made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 1, 2022 and subsequently made two appearances in the postseason. After signing as a free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016, he later played AAA ball with the Reno Aces in 2019 and 2021. Then the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 2021 MiLB Rule 5 Draft. He recently signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs with hopes of landing an MLB roster spot.
SAL FRELICK
Sal Frelick will represent Team Italy at the 2023 WBC as one of the starting outfielders. Born and raised in Boston, the 22-year-old is among the top 30 MLB prospects in addition to being the Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospect. A first round pick in the 2021 draft, Sal is a reliable lefty who hit .331 with 28 doubles, six triples, 11 HR and 59 RBI during the 2022 season between his stints in High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. He was named 2022 MiLB All-Star by the Milwaukee Brewers.
DOMINIC FLETCHER
Brother to MLB veteran David Fletcher, Dominic Fletcher was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2019 draft and most recently played for the Triple-A Reno Aces in 2022 when he hit 301/.368/.452 with 29 doubles, eight triples and five HR and in 101 games played. A highly-touted collegiate all-star out of the University of Arkansas, he played in the 2018 College World Series. Dominic was later named 2019 and 2021 MiLB Organization All-Star by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
California native and infielder David Fletcher is one of the most important figures within the Los Angeles Angels’ clubhouse. His mother, Fernanda Fletcher, grew up in Italy and taught him Italian at a young age. The trilingual David, who is also fluent in Spanish, was selected by the LA Angels in the sixth round of the 2015 draft and made his MLB debut for the Halos in 2018 when he showed his versatility playing second base, third base and shortstop. His best season of his five-year MLB career came in 2020 where he hit .319/.376/.435 with three HR and 18 RBI in 49 games played.
NICKY LOPEZ
Lefty bat and speedster Nicky Lopez will wear the Azzurri uniform at the 2023 WBC. The 27-year-old infielder will begin his fifth season in the Kansas City Royals organization. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of Creighton University and made his MLB debut on May 14, 2019. Lopez has played a total of 451 MLB games and was one the best hitters in the American League in 2021 when he put together an impressive .300 batting average in 151 games played. During the 2022 season, the middle infielder appeared in 141 games splitting time at second base, third base and shortstop. He was successful in 13 of 16 stolen base attempts.
VINNIE PASQUANTINO
Selected in the 11th round of the 2018 draft by the Kansas City Royals out of Old Dominion University, first baseman and designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino made his MLB debut on June 28, 2022 and has since become a Kansas City Royals fan favorite. His power and offensive productivity has earned him the nickname “Italian Nightmare” by Kansas City Royals icon George Brett, of “Italian Nightmare” to represent the fear he puts in opposing pitchers’ heads before facing him. Other nicknames such as “Pasquatch” have also surfaced since being called up. During his 72 MLB games in 2022, Richmond, Virginia native compiled a .295 batting average with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI.
MILES MASTROBUONI
Selected in the 14th round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays out of the University of Nevada, California native Miles Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022 after spending seven seasons in the minor leagues. In 2022, the 27-year-old utilityman appeared in 129 Triple-A games and put together a .300 batting average with 16 home runs, 32 doubles, three triples and 16 home runs. The speedster was also successful in 23 of 26 stolen base attempts. Primarily a middle infielder with some outfield MLB experience, Mastrobuoni was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Alfredo Zarraga on November 15, 2022.
ROBEL GARCIA
Dominican-born infielder Robel Garcia was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians in June 2010. He spent four years in the minor leagues before playing in Italy (Imola and Bologna) in 2016. Robel later signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on October 31, 2018 after a strong camp with the Italian national team in Arizona and made his MLB debut on July 3, 2019. He was later named 2019 MiLB Organization All-Star by the Chicago Cubs. After playing 31 games for the Chicago Cubs during the 2019 season, Garcia added more MLB experience to his resume in 2021 when he joined the Houston Astros for 47 games. He made his Team Italy debut in 2017 playing in the Super 6 tournament in the Netherlands, where he went 9-for-16 with three HR, 7 RBI and completed the cycle against Belgium. Robel returned to the Azzurri squad during Haarlem Baseball Week.
JOHN VALENTE
Selected in the 21st round of the 2018 draft by the Detroit Tigers out of St. John’s University, the 27-year-old New York native and utility player John Valente has made his way up to Triple-A playing second base, third base and left field for the 2022 Toledo Mud Hens. He slashed .293/.355/.390 with two home runs, 26 RBI and a career-high 14 stolen bases.
Team Italy manager Mike Piazza has given back to countless of his favorite charities over the years, but it is nice to see the National Baseball Hall of Famer being recognized as the Viscardi Center’s Sportsman of the Year on May 20, 2021. In its 54th year, the Viscardi Center’s Celebrity Sports Night continues to be one of the premier fundraising events in the New York Metropolitan area. The event raises funds to enrich the lives of children and adults with all types of disabilities and acute medical needs. Attended by several hundred community leaders, philanthropic individuals, celebrities and pro athletes, the Viscardi Center’s 54th Annual Celebrity Sports Night is not to be missed. To learn more on how you can participate in this year’s virtual event, click HERE.
Mike Piazza has also been kind enough to contribute items of interest in the online silent auction. Fans can bid on a Mike Piazza Autographed Framed Photograph of his monumental home run in the first game back after 9/11 with his special inscription “United We Stand.” In addition, baseball aficionados can bid on a Virtual 30-minute VIP Meet and Greet with Mike Piazza for up to 10 people. Everyone will also receive a personally signed baseball by the Team Italy manager. Another interesting silent auction item is an invitation to The Wine 100 hosted by Derek Jeter, who proudly presents a private Wine Tasting party featuring some of the most desirable wines in the world. The exclusive event is limited to 100 couples and is held in Naples, Florida on a Saturday in January 2022. Time and location will be revealed privately to all participants.
The Viscardi Center’s Celebrity Sports Night on Thursday, May 20, 2021 kicks off at 6:30 pm (EDT) with an action-packed online cocktail reception featuring live interactions on Zoom with Italian American baseball favorite Bobby Valentine and others. To join in on the fun, click HERE.
Mike Piazza at a press conference announcing his appointment as the new Team Italy manager at Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI) headquarters in Rome on November 29, 2019.
Organized by FICTS (Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs) and recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the world-renowned Sport Movies & TV 2020 Festival has selected Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza as a finalist in the FICTS Worldwide Championship of Television, Cinema, Sport, Culture and Communication in Milan, Italy from November 7-11, 2020. Director Roberto Angotti returns for his second FICTS Sport Movies & TV World Challenge after his Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Award-winning Italian American Baseball Family documentary was selected as a finalist in 2018. The grand final of 20 World FICTS Challenge Festivals spanning five continents, the Sport Movies & TV 2020 Festival will be livestreamed on the ms360.tv website and broadcast live on MS Channel Sky 814. Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza will be livestreamed Monday, November 9, 2020 at 11:15 am (EST) on both platforms. FICTS promotes the values of sport through images in over 123 affiliated nations and is presided over by Professor Franco Ascani of the Italian Olympic Committee Commission for Culture and Olympic Heritage. Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza is among the elite productions of the nearly 1,000 submissions from 50 countries in 52 sport disciplines. The FICTS International Jury, made up of ambassadors in the world of cinema, television, media, sport and culture, will deliberate on which productions to select for “Guirlande d’Honneur” (Oscar of Cinema and Sport Television), “Mention d’Honneur” (Honorable Mention), and “Special Awards” for each of the eight categories.
Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza is a musical odyssey documentary featuring the music of Grammy nominee Pato Banton. Filmed at the Italian National Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome and the 2020 CON6 Baseball and Softball Convention in Rimini, the documentary highlights the celebrated career of National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza and captures the new leader of the Italian national baseball program as he meets the press and his team for the first time since his appointment.
Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazzaprovides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the iconic baseball figure and features interviews with Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda, New York Mets Announcer Wayne Randazzo, and former major leaguers John Franco and Chris Colabello. During his induction speech into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Mike Piazza thanked the country of Italy for giving him the gift of his father, whose family roots stem from Sciacca, Sicily. Mike Piazza honored his ancestral heritage by playing for Team Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and later coaching the Azzurri squad to two European Baseball Championships. Forza #Italia!
Introducing Team Italy ManagerMike Piazza is a musical odyssey documentary featuring the music of Grammy nominee Pato Banton. Produced by award-winning director Roberto Angotti, Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza highlights the celebrated career of National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.
The film’s opening scene takes place at the 2020 CON6 Italian Baseball and Softball Convention in Rimini, Italy, where Mike Piazza briefly takes the stage before flashing back to Shea Stadium in New York for the first live sporting event post-9/11. Through the lyrics of his song “What a Come Back”, renowned musician Pato Banton collaborates with director Roberto Angotti to tell the story of how Mike Piazza’s heroic home run helped heal a shaken-up nation in fear. In the case of Mike Piazza, who has beaten the odds from being a last-round courtesy draft pick to becoming a National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, the opening song exemplifies the resilience and perseverance Mike Piazza and the American people possessed.
New York Mets play-by-play announcer Wayne Randazzo makes brief but poignant appearances throughout the 36-minute documentary to attest to Mike Piazza’s footprint in New York and sports history as well as validate the Hall of Famer’s commitment to the growth and development of Italian baseball. Using tidbits of information from Mike Piazza’s New York Times best-selling autobiography Long Shot, the film touches on young Mike’s childhood affinity for Spider-Man and his pregame ritual of eating Tastykake on the way to Philadelphia Phillies games at Veteran’s Stadium.
Narrated by Pato Banton‘s song “No Worry Piazza,” the film retraces the path that Mike Piazza took growing up. A cameo appearance from longtime family friend and former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda confirms that Mike was overlooked as a prospect by major-league scouts at that time. The film traverses Piazza’s journey from high school baseball star to National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee and on to his newest role as manager of the Italian national baseball team. Interview segments from former New York Mets pitcher and teammate John Franco as well as former MLB player and current Team Italy slugger Chris Colabello gauge the excitement around Mike as the new leader for Italian baseball.
Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza is presented his jersey during a press conference announcing him as Italy’s national baseball team manager at the Italian Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome on November 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
The film revisits Mike Piazza’s call to the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he was selected as an inductee. With the backdrop of Pato Banton’s guitar-driven anthem “Never Give In Piazza,” viewers experience the determination and resilience of Mike Piazza firsthand. Making his way to Cooperstown, New York for the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Mike recognizes the roles that Tommy Lasorda and Reggie Smith played in his career. Piazza embraces the life lessons learned from these baseball legends, including to never give in and to never quit. Mike gives thanks to the country of Italy for giving him the gift of his father, whose unwavering faith in him served as an anchor. Then he honors his mother for giving him the gift of his Catholic faith. His parents formed the foundation upon which Mike grounded his career and life, and he brings that same foundation into his own marriage and family.
Using the classic “Niceness” rhythm, Pato Banton treats viewers to a new song entitled “Baseball Reggae,” an ode to the game and Italian family heritage Mike cherished with all his heart. It also pays tribute to the Italian baseball family of Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Ernie Lombardi, Tony Lazzeri, and Phil Rizzuto. The film reveals Mike’s Italian roots in Sciacca, Sicily, and he honors his family heritage by playing for Team Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
In the next song, “Go Mike Go”, Pato Banton personalizes the reggae classic and creates a fitting tribute to the leader of the Italian baseball revolution, Mike Piazza. From the first beat of the song when Citi Field comes alive as the site of the Mike Piazza Day celebration, viewers travel across the Atlantic mid-song and follow Mike Piazza to Italy. Then Mike Piazza speaks to the media for the first time from the Italian Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome after the official press conference announcing the new Team Italy manager took place.
The film also captures Mike Piazza being interviewed by the Italian press at the 2020 CON6 Baseball and Softball Coaches Convention in Rimini. Using Pato Banton‘s “My Opinion” rhythm as a soundtrack, Team Italy manager Mike Piazza and pitching coach Bill Holmberg talk to their players behind closed doors about what it will take for them to make the upcoming World Baseball Classic roster. Highlights from Team Italy in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classic competitions are shown with Pato Banton‘s “Gwarn Piazza” in the background.
Mike Piazza and Bill Holmberg share their philosophy of developing players at all age levels and their ongoing commitment to growing the game of baseball in Italy with director Roberto Angotti. The film concludes with rare footage of the 2020 CON6 Coaches Convention where Mike is freely taking photos with fans and signing memorabilia. Ultimately, Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza shows how much the Hall of Fame catcher loves Italy and how Italy wholeheartedly embraces him. Forza #Italia!
Grammy nominee Pato Banton and director Roberto Angotti in the recording studio (Photo by Peter McEvilley)
mlbblogger 