Japan

Team Italy pitching coaches Alessandro Maestri and Lorenzo Pivirotto mentor prospects Takuma Lupo and Mattia Muscio at Seibu Lions Fall Camp in Japan

Roberto AngottiLeave a comment

Takuma Lupo and Mattia Muscio, two budding Team Italy star pitchers who led the Azzurri to the 2026 U18 European Championship in Trieste, will be accompanied by Italian Senior Elite pitching coach Alessandro Maestri and U15 pitching coach Lorenzo Pivirotto at the Saitama Seibu Lions Fall Camp from November 1-7, 2026. Coach Pivirotto recently participated in a week-long internship with fellow coach Francesco Cavazzini at the 2010 Japanese High School Baseball Championship (Summer Koshien) Winner Konan High School in Naha, Okinawa. With the support of Marco Massetani, head of the Italian Consular Office in Naha, an agreement between Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball and the Saitama Seibu Lions was reached during the 2025 U18 Baseball World Cup for the talented Italian pitchers and their coaches to attend the Fall Camp in Japan.

2026 U18 European Baseball Championship MVP and Team Italy pitcher Takuma Lupo

During the 2026 U18 European Baseball Championship, Azzurri pitching prospect Takuma Lupo made two relief appearances and was the winning pitcher on record in the U18 Euro final against Germany (2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, K) on July 19, 2026. He also made two starts for Team Italy in the 2024 U15 Baseball World Cup against host Colombia and the Netherlands.

Team Italy lefty Mattia Muscio earned the win in the 11-0 shutout over Israel (4 IP, 4 H, 8 K, 2 BB) on July 13, 2026 and returned to start five days later in the Euro semifinal against the Netherlands (4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 9 K, 2 BB). The starter helped the Azzurri in the 2025 U18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan, where he picked up the win against China (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 9 K, 2 BB). The promising prospect recently returned from Arizona after being selected to represent the MLB World Select Team during the 2026 MLB College Showcase Tour and pitched against a group of Kansas City Royals future stars. Forza #Italia!

Celebrate Fullerton Sister Cities Fukui and Tollo at the Big A on August 2, 2025

Roberto Angotti1 Comment

Join the Fullerton Sister City Association as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Fukui, Japan on Japanese Heritage Night at Angel Stadium on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Make sure to arrive well before the 7:07 pm start to enjoy the free pre-game cultural celebration which will feature entertainment for the whole family including a taiko drum performance, food and giveaways. When purchasing tickets through the Fullerton Sister City Association, you will receive an exclusive Japanese-themed Angels jersey before the first pitch at the gate 5 courtyard. In addition, you will be helping Fullerton’s sister city in Tollo, Italy raise funds for members of Tollo Baseball and Softball and the Abruzzo All-Stars realize their dream competing in the USA and joining Team Italy at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Houston. Email FSCAYoung@gmail.com for tickets and more information.

Yusei Kikuchi is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Halos manager Ron Washington gave him his first regular-season Opening Day start in his six-year MLB pitching career on March 27, 2025. The crafty Japanese lefty agreed to a three-year deal worth $63 million this offseason and is one of several veterans who was signed to supplement the club’s young core. Prior to the start of the season, the 33-year-old southpaw pitcher had a career 4.57 ERA with 837 strikeouts in 809 2/3 innings and posted a 4.05 ERA with 206 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros last year. He was particularly impressive pitching for Houston with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with 76 strikeouts in 60 innings. On Sunday, April 20, 2025, Kikuchi (3.38 ERA this season) allowed one (unearned) run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and four walks in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi speaking to media upon his signing

History was made on August 30, 2024 when Samuel Aldegheri became the first Italian-born and developed pitcher in Major League Baseball while starting for the Los Angeles Angels and again on September 6, 2024 when he was the first pitcher born in Italy to record a Major League victory since 1949. The 23-year-old Verona native is currently pitching for Double-A Affiliate Rocket City Trash Pandas, and it won’t be long before the Angels’ Top 5 prospect re-joins the Big League squad in the pennant race.

Italian-born Samuel Aldegheri in action against the Texas Rangers on September 6, 2024

Make sure to catch all the action at the Big A on Saturday night, August 2, 2025 and receive the limited-edition Angels Japanese-themed jersey when purchasing tickets through the Fullerton Sister City Association. Email FSCAYoung@gmail.com for further information.