Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned Italy’s World Baseball Classic win over the USA in her speech to the Italian Parliament pic.twitter.com/URjNVdgOGO
Such a special group. Millions of people watched us from Italy over the past few days. That’s always been and always will be the goal, to the keep growing the game. Thank you everyone for all the support. Forza Italia! 🤌🇮🇹❤️ pic.twitter.com/gSBzQ8WJVf
On Wednesday night, @VPasquantino and Team Italy's dominant win over Mexico drew 2 million viewers across FS1 and FOX Deportes — delivering the most-watched non-USA WBC Pool Play telecast ever. ☕️
8500+ MLB games, 2 WS, 5 NL pennants, 24 playoff teams, yet the last 2 weeks were the best of my many baseball days. Improbable, yet possible; unbelievable; yet real. Team 🇮🇹 to WBC semis/ led by Mgr Francisco Cervelli and captain Vinnie P. #memories for life; Forza Italia 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/z1MWM9i3pc
WBC SEMIFINAL VIEWERSHIP: Venezuela's win over Italy in Monday's #WorldBaseballClassic semifinal knocked in 3.8 million viewers across FS1 and FOX Deportes — marking the most-watched non-USA WBC game ever.
One of the most emotional interviews I can remember after a @WBCBaseball game. Verona native Samuel Aldegheri, in English and Italian, spoke about the meaning of the victory today. @MLBNetwork @Angels 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/wjsERLg7qi
Just so everyone knows the proceeds from this will be going to SAARC. Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center. They provide service for children, teens and adults with autism. This was a group decision because this center has helped some people that are apart of our team.… https://t.co/WsK8KzVvDS
My favorite part of the WBC from a Padres fan perspective was someone like Ron Marinaccio getting into the highest leverage situation he’s ever gotten into. He’s never pitched in the playoffs before but this situation was playoff like. Invaluable experience for him. pic.twitter.com/QtVdGvtXO3
— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) March 18, 2026
Ron Marinaccio talks to @SammyLev about pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic and his mindset as he returns to Padres spring training. pic.twitter.com/ZgbGGPjYki
— Baseball Performance Center (@The_BPCsj) March 9, 2026
#Pirates LHP Joe La Sorsa is a name generating buzz with an upward mobility clause at the end of spring training, after a successful stint for Team Italy.
La Sorsa pitched in 4 of 6 games for Italy, striking out MLB stars like Kyle Schwarber and Jarren Duran.
Joe La Sorsa pitched for Italy in the World Baseball Classic and had the perfect Italian explanation of what it was like to lean into the country’s culture.
"Very prideful. We're very passionate people as Italian Americans" (as one myself can confirm) "I think we're the most fun team to watch outside of Team USA"#Guardians Matt Festa on Team Italy in @WBCBaseball and an important update on their espresso machine #GuardsBall@WEWSpic.twitter.com/PJ3p5NTp7I
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 8, 2026
Guardians Matt Festa struck out Gunnar Henderson, retired Aaron Judge, but then gave up 3 singles to Schwarber, Will Smith, and Roman Anthony (RBI), ending his outing for Team Italy 🇮🇹 last night. Italy still defeated Team USA 🇺🇸 8-6. #GuardsBall#WBC2026#WorldBaseballClassic
Head coach Kevin Mulvey checks in with former Wildcat Gordon Graceffo and current @cardinals and Team Italy pitcher after an exciting win last night over Team USA as he gears up for tonight’s game against Mexico#GoNovapic.twitter.com/r3aB7hcazD
Adam Ottavino will pitch for Team Italy in the 2026 WBC within the same pool as Team USA.@JackCurryYES & Ottavino discuss his preparations for the WBC, his career numbers vs. Aaron Judge, and more. pic.twitter.com/tR2b1upCRo
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 8, 2026
J.J. D'Orazio chats with @jonmorosi about homering in his squad's win over Great Britain, the growth of youth baseball in Italy and more 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/MavYFkq0oL
Free agent INF/OF Jon Berti is generating @MLB interest after posting a 1.132 OPS with Team Italy at the @WBCBaseball.
Ten teams have checked in, given Berti's bat and versatility. He intends to sign with a contender that needs him to play multiple positions. @MLBNetwork
🗣️: “Es algo surrealista” Jon Berti conversó con Ariadna Ibarra tras la victoria de #Italia ante #México, con la que aseguraron el primer lugar del grupo. El infielder insistió en que el objetivo siempre ha sido ganar.
Team Italy and Canadian-born outfielder Dante Nori is named to the #WorldBaseballClassic all-tournament team.
During Italy's six-game run to the semifinals, Nori carried a 1.185 OPS with eight hits, two homers, six RBIs and two stolen bases.pic.twitter.com/BUABjvLa5w
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 8, 2026
#WhiteSox@KyleTeel9 tells me his hamstring is "getting better a lot faster than we all anticipated" and a return on earlier end of 4-to-6 week timeline is likely. We also talked about his WBC experience, Italian meals growing up & the Sox version of a dugout espresso machine. pic.twitter.com/1JP2kmsspE
"I would like to think that it's a good trait that I have…I have no problem going up to [veterans] and acting like we're on the same level. They were very welcoming."@ChuckGarfien caught up with Sam Antonacci to chat all things WBC and what he learned from the experience pic.twitter.com/8i3YpeUOre
En route to Team Italy's 8-0 victory on Saturday, Zach Dezenzo (Frederick '21 / @mvscrappers '22) drove in the first run of the game on a 1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣.7️⃣ mph single! 🚀 🇮🇹
"Se dio la oportunidad en este momento y estoy aquí para ayudar al equipo". 🗣️⚾
Brayan Rocchio no pudo sumarse a Italia al inicio del Clásico Mundial de Béisbol debido a compromisos personales y con Cleveland Guardians, pero reveló que durante la temporada muerta estuvo siempre… pic.twitter.com/2tJIahWgIb
Left-hander Joe Jacques, who is competing for a job in Mets camp, has been added to Team Italy's roster for the WBC, per source. He'll be active for the semifinal Monday against Venezuela.
Kyle Teelwas selected in the 1st round (14th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox out of the University of Virginia. He received the 2023 Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, which recognizes the nation’s top catcher. His .407 batting average was one of the highest single-season averages in school history, earning him 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Consensus College Baseball All-American honors.
Teel quickly advanced through the Boston minor league system and in December 2024 was part of a trade that sent him to the Chicago White Sox organization as a top prospect. He made his MLB debut on June 6, 2025 and showed lightning power when hitting eight home runs with a .273 batting average and 35 RBI for the remainder of the season. The fast-rising left-handed hitting star has demonstrated an advanced hitting approach and the ability to work counts to get on base, where he excels with smart base running tactics. His leadership, skilled game management and precision (only five errors in 501 innings ) behind the plate makes him a strong defensive weapon as well.
J.J. D’Orazio was signed as a non-drafted international free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2018 out of Venezuela. He made his professional debut in 2019, splitting time between the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays and Rookie League before being shut out of baseball in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021, after beginning the season in the Blue Jays’ complex leagues and Low-A, D’Orazio was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played Single-A ball in 2022 before moving up to High-A (where he named NWL Player of the Week and hit over .300 with power) and Double-A in 2023. D’Orazio has since remained the everyday catcher for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles and put together a .221 batting average with 50 RBI and eight home runs last season with 50 RBI and 8 home runs. In December 2025, He was signed by the Los Angeles Angels in late 2025 after a successful campaign for Tigres De Aragua in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The proud Italian Venezuelan has shown the ability to influence games with both his power at the plate and his intelligence in working with pitchers behind the dish.
Mickey Gasper is a 30-year-old Boston Red Sox utility player, who was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals on February 4, 2026. He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 27th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Bryant University, where he developed into one of the Northeast Conference’s top hitters, batting .344 with 17 home runs and 119 RBI over four seasons.
Gaspar spent several seasons developing in the Yankees’ minor-league system before being selected by the Boston Red Sox in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. His breakout season came in 2024 when he hit .328 with a .439 on-base percentage across Double-A and Triple-A. His performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues, and he made his MLB debut on August 12, 2024 with the Red Sox.
After the 2024 season, Gasper was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he made the club’s Opening Day roster in 2025 and appeared in 45 games. During the 2025 season he hit .158 with 2 home runs and 11 RBI while splitting time between catcher, first base, second base, designated hitter, and left field. In 2026, the proud Italian American was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals, continuing his role as a versatile depth player capable of filling multiple positions.
Andrés Annunziatais a 20-year-old Italian prospect who has developed through the youth system of Nettuno Baseball Club 1945 and has been playing well recently in Serie A ball. Known for his versatility, the Team Italy backstop has played catcher, first base, and the outfield while showing strong offensive production at a young age. In 2024, he posted one of his best seasons with Nettuno, batting .392 with a 1.026 OPS, continuing his rise as one of Italy’s promising young hitters. The Azzurri bullpen catcher is ready to step up to the big stage should the Italians need him in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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