Miles Mastrobuoni

Team Italy powers to 8-0 shutout over Brazil in 2026 World Baseball Classic debut

Roberto Angotti1 Comment

March 7, 2026 Brazil-Italy Game Recap at Daikin Park, Houston, Texas 

Team Italy starting pitcher Sam Aldegheri looked good early in the top of the first inning, striking out Gabriel Gomes on three pitches. A walk to the dangerous Lucas Ramirez, son of Manny Ramirez, followed. Then Leonardo Reginatto struck out swinging and Gabriel Gomes was picked off first base for the third out.

Brazil sent out lefty starting pitcher Enzo Sawayama to combat the left-handed heavy Team Italy hitting lineup in the bottom of the first inning. After a Jakob Marsee flyout to center, second baseman Jon Berti doubled. Vinnie Pasquantino grounded out to second, advancing Berti to third base. However, he would remain stranded 90 feet away from the plate after a sharply hit line drive flyout to right field by cleanup hitter Dominic Canzone ended the scoring threat.

Sam Aldegheri threw a scoreless top of the second inning. A quick strikeout of Dante Bichette Jr. and a flyout to right field by Lucas Rojo was followed by another strikeout of Victor Mascai. 

Astros hometown hero Zach Dezenzo received a warm reception at Houston’s Daikin Park when he stepped into the batter’s box but succumbed to a strikeout by Enzo Sawayama. A Kyle Teel infield groundout to second and a Jac Caglianone line-drive flyout to second ended the second inning.  

In the top of the third inning, Gabriel Do Carmo singled to center field and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Felipe Koragi. Then Sam Aldegheri collected his fifth and sixth strikeout courtesy of Gabriel Maciel and Gabriel Gomes.  

In the bottom of the third inning, Brazil lefty Enzo Sawayama struck out Thomas Saggese before Dante Nori walked and Jakob Marsee grounded into a fielder’s choice. Then Jon Berti singled and Jakob Marsee was called out at third base after an accurate throw by right fielder Lucas Ramirez. 

Sam Aldegheri returned to pitch the top of the fourth inning. Lucas Ramirez fouled out to third. Leonardo Reginatto walked and Dante Bichette Jr. grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Vinnie Pasquantino just missed on a deep flyout on the left field warning track. Dominic Canzone grounded out to third and Zach Dezenzo struck out.

Lefty Sam Aldegheri appeared to get better as the contest progressed in the top of the fifth inning. After back-to-back strikeouts of Lucas Rojo and Victor Mascai, Azzurri manager Francisco Cervelli summoned Alek Jacob from the bullpen. The right-handed reliever struck out Gabriel Gomes to end the top of the fifth inning. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Brazil made a pitching change and brought in lefty Hector Villarroel. The Italians nearly broke through. After catcher Kyle Teel singled up the middle, Jac Caglianone popped out to third and Thomas Saggese hit a long flyout to deep center. Then Dante Nori doubled over first baseman Dante Bichette Jr. With runners on second and third, Jakob Marsee lined out to second to quell the potential Team Italy scoring rally. 

Alek Jacob returned to pitch the top of the sixth inning and struck out Felipe Korage. Then a Gabriel Maciel flyout to left and a Gabriel Gomes strikeout made for a quick half inning. 

The tension was building in the Team Italy dugout and an offensive breakout was brewing in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brazil lefty Hector Villarroel faced MLB veteran Jon Berti, who walked on four pitches and later stole second base to get into scoring position. Azzurri captain Vinnie Pasquantino fouled out to catcher Gabriel Do Carmo before Dominic Canzone walked, which prompted a visit to the mound to give the scouting report on Zach Dezenzo. Despite the intelligence, the Azzurri third baseman connected with an RBI single to right. With runners on second and third, Kyle Teel struck out swinging. Then Jac Caglianone hit an RBI double and Zach Dezenzo was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Lucas Ramirez to end the two-run rally.  

In the top of the seventh inning, reliever Gordan Graceffo entered the ballgame. Despite surrendering a single to Leonardo Reginatto, the fired up right hander struck out Lucas Ramirez, Dante Bichette Jr. and Lucas Rojo.

Brazil brought in former Team Italy pitcher Murilo Gouvea in the bottom of the seventh inning. Thomas Saggese was called out on strikes before Dante Nori slugged a home run to right field to give the Italians a 3-0 advantage. Then Jakob Marsee patiently earned a walk and Jon Berti struck out swinging. After issuing a walk to Vinnie Pasquantino, Murilo Gouvea was replaced by lefty reliever Oscar Nakaoshi. With runners on first and second with two out, designated hitter Dominic Canzone connected with a three-run bomb into the right field bleachers to give Team Italy a commanding 6-0 lead. Zach Dezenzo followed with a walk and Kyle Teel singled to right, but a Jac Caglianone groundout to short ended the inning.

In the top of the eight inning, Miles Mastrobuoni replaced Zach Dezenzo at third base and pitcher Gordon Graceffo returned to the mound for Team Italy. After issuing a walk to Victor Mascai, the hard-throwing right hander was relieved by Claudio Scotti. The Italian-born and developed pitcher struck out Gabriel Do Carmo. Then Felipe Koragi grounded into a fielder’s choice and Gabriel Maciel singled to right field. Pinch-hitter Osvaldo Carvalho fouled out to Miles Mastrobuoni for the third out.

The Italians nailed the coffin shut in the bottom of the eighth inning when scoring twice off reliever Caio De Araujo to make it an 8-0 game. After Thomas Saggese grounded out to third,

Dante Nori clubbed his second home run of the game into the Team Italy bullpen in right field. Then Jakob Marsee grounded out to second. A two-out rally ensued as Jon Berti doubled to left and later crossed the plate on an RBI single by Dominic Canzone. 

In the top of the ninth inning, Sam Antonacci replaced Jon Berti at second base and pitcher Claudio Scotti returned to the hill. Despite giving up an infield single to pinch-hitter Victor Ito, Claudio Scotti closed out the game to ensure the 8-0 shutout. 

Team Italy returns on Sunday, March 8th for WBC game two against Great Britain. First pitch is scheduled at 1 pm (ET). Forza #Italia!

BOX SCORE

By Roberto Angotti

http://www.MLBItalia.com

Team Italy Infielders in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Roberto AngottiLeave a comment

Vinnie Pasquantino AKA “Pasquatch” and “The Italian Nightmare” was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round (319th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University, He made his professional debut in 2019 with the Rookie-level Burlington Royals, hitting .294 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 57 games. After a hiatus iin 2020 due to the pandemic, he produced impressive offensive prowess in 2021 while moving up from Single-A to Double-A.

The left-handed slugger and reliable first baseman began 2022 in Triple-A before making his MLB debut on June 28, 2022. During his rookie season, he earned American League Player of the Week honors. Last season he established himself as Royals’ most dependable hitter, batting .264 with 32 home runs and 113 RBI (6th in MLB). With a big-league career .266 average with 70 homers and 262 RBI to date, Pasquantino brings consistent offensive production with power, elite plate discipline and clutch hitting ability to the Team Italy lineup.

Miles Mastrobuoni was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round (420th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Nevada, Reno. Throughout his minor league career in the Rays organization, the versatile infielder posted strong offensive numbers, including a .300 batting average with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 129 games at Triple-A in 2022,

Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022 and was traded later to the Chicago Cubs on November 15, 2022, He made the 2023 Cubs’ Opening Day roster and spent parts of the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Chicago. On January 14, 2025, Mastrobuoni was traded to the Seattle Mariners. In 2025 he played multiple infield and outfield positions, while providing speed offensively on the bases (22 career steals). Known for his steady contact and situational hitting, the Mariners’ prized utility player is often used off the bench as a pinch-hitter since he can move runners on the bases and possesses excellent bat control.

Jon Berti was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round (559th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Bowling Green State University, where he set multiple school hitting records, including single-season batting average and hit total. Berti made his MLB debut with the Jays on September 26, 2018 before playing for the Miami Marlins from 2019-2023. He showcased his speed and versatility, playing multiple positions in the infield and outfield. The consummate utility player had a breakout season in 2022, when he led MLB in stolen bases (41) in just 102 games and set a record for the fewest games played in a full season by an MLB stolen-base champion. He also set a Marlins franchise record with 21 consecutive stolen bases without being caught in 2022.

Berti was traded to the New York Yankees in 2024 and contributed as a versatile professional who saw postseason action, including starts at first base during the playoffs. He signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2025 after establishing himself as a high-energy player with elite speed and excellent baserunning instincts. The proud Italian American brings his seasoned veteran presence with over eight years of MLB experience and a career .256 batting average to the Team Italy roster.

Thomas Saggese was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 5th round (145th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Carlsbad High School. After playing his first two high school seasons at Rancho Bernardo High School, he transferred to Carlsbad as a junior and hit .422 with a .500 OBP. Saggese also tied for the San Diego Section lead with 10 home runs to earn the right to play in the San Diego Section All-Star game alongside Marcelo Mayer and Spencer Jones.

The California native made his professional debut in 2021 in Low-A, where he showcased the pop in his bat. He climbed the Rangers’ minor league system in 2022, when he was recognized as an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star, Baseball America High Class A All-Star and South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star after hitting 15 home runs and becoming an offensive weapon. Saggese was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2023, and shortly after earned Texas League MVP and Post-Season All-Star honors as a result of a batting average over .300 with 26 home runs and 111 RBI in 139 games between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his MLB debut on September 10, 2024 and went on to play in 18 games that season. The versatile infielder split time between Triple-A Memphis and the Cardinals in 2025, when he appeared in 82 games with starts at second base, shortstop, and third base. Saggese put together a .258 batting average with two homers and 25 RBI. Known for strong contact skills and the ability to drive the ball with extra bases — a skill that made him a standout in the minors, the Team Italy shortstop will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Zach Dezenzo was selected in the 12th round (373rd overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft (373rd overall) out of Ohio State University, where he earned recognition as a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after a strong debut campaign which included double-digit home runs. Dezenzo began his pro career in Single-A with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and climbed the Astros’ system steadily. In 2023, he impressed with power and improved contact skills, hitting 14 home runs and maintaining solid production as he moved from High-A to Double-A. He also saw action in the Arizona Fall League, gaining respected experience against top prospects.

Dezenzo made his MLB debut on August 6, 2024 and became the first alumnus of the MLB Draft League to reach the big leagues. In 2025, he made the Astros’ Opening Day roster and appeared in 34 games, batting .245 with two home runs and 10 RBI before an injury sidelined him mid-season. Dezenzo is noted for his size and power potential, possessing strong bat speed and extra-base hit ability. Defensively he has played first base, third base, and in the corner outfield, providing positional flexibility. Scouts and reports praise his improving bat-to-ball skills, which helped him sustain offensive production as he moved up in the minor leagues.

Andrew Fischer was selected in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of Tennessee. He began his college baseball journey at Duke University, where he set the program’s freshman home run record (11) in 47 games. Fischer then transferred to the University of Mississippi for his sophomore season, leading the team in home runs, hits, RBI, and total bases, which earned him All-Region and Second Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors. After another transfer to the University of Tennessee for the 2025 season, he had a monumental year: hitting .341/.497/.760 with 25 home runs, 65 RBI, and 70 runs scored as well as reaching base in all 65 games played. Fischer led the SEC in home runs and ranked among conference leaders in on-base percentage and slugging. Named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American, his outstanding performance made him one of the top college bats in the country and a coveted prospect for the 2025 draft.

For the Milwaukee Brewers High-A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the promising third baseman played in 13 games and hit .311 with one homer, 13 RBI, eight runs scored and eight stolen bases. Fischer is considered one of the Brewers’ top prospects and a potential future middle-of-the-order hitter due to his rare combination of contact skills, power, and plate discipline. Blessed with plus power to all fields from the left side of the plate, he generates consistent extra-base hits. while possessing a strong eye at the plate and high walk rates. With the ability to play the corner infield, Fischer offers defensive versatility as he develops into a budding star. He is currently the top MLB third base prospect according to both MLB PipeLine and Baseball America.

Sam Antonacci was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Coastal Carolina University, where he slashed .367/.523/.504 with six home runs and 47 RBI in Division I competition. Known for his disciplined hitting, high on-base skills, and speed, Antonacci is one of the White Sox’s top prospects. He starred at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois, batting over .530 as a senior and began his college career at Heartland Community College. As a sophomore, Antonacci led NJCAA Division II in batting average (.515), RBI (103), runs (105), hits (106), doubles (32) and on-base percentage (.618) to earn 2023 NJCAA Division II Player of the Year honors and help Heartland win a national title before transferring to Coastal Carolina University. He started all 61 games at third base for Coastal during the 2024 season, slashing .367/.523/.504. His .367 batting average and .523 on-base percentage led Coastal’s offense. Antonacci, who reached base safely in the first 44 games of the season, totaled 83 hits, 13 doubles, and six home runs that year. Defensively, he finished the season with a .911 fielding percentage at third base. In 169 chances, he recorded 55 putouts, 99 assists, and was part of nine double plays.

Antonacci made his professional debut with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Low-A) in 2024, hitting .333 with 14 RBI in his first 23 games. In 2025, he split time between the Winston-Salem Dash (High-A) and the Birmingham Barons (Double-A). Over the course of 116 games, Antonacci hit .291 with five home runs, 57 RBI, and 48 stolen bases, proving his lightning speed and contact ability. He earned White Sox Minor League Player of the Month (June 2025) for his high OPS and impact on the base paths. After the 2025 regular season, he excelled in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .378/.505/.541 with 11 stolen bases in 19 games, further boosting his prospect status. Known for his disciplined approach at the plate with high walk rates and strong contact ability. Antonacci possesses excellent on-base skills as his stolen base totals are among the best in the White Sox system. In addition, he offers position versatility, having played second base, shortstop, and third base in the minors. Heading into 2026, Antonacci is one of Chicago’s fastest-rising prospects since he is on the cusp of reaching Triple-A and destined to reach MLB sooner than expected. MLBPipeLine ranks him the 10th MLB second base prospect and the 11th Chicago White Sox prospect.

Signed by the New York Yankees in 2011, Renzo Martini spent five years in the minor leagues before playing in his native Venezuela. During his six-season career playing in Italy’s Serie A, corner infielder Renzo Martini has compiled an impressive .368 batting average with 63 doubles, 19 home runs, 167 RBI and 85 walks. He led Team Italy to a silver medal in the 2025 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship in Rotterdam, where the Azzurri cleanup hitter slashed .480/.552/.640 with five RBI during the competition. The corner infielder rose to the occasion in the Euro semifinal game against the Czech Republic on September 26th and hit for the cycle while scoring three runs and picking up three RBI. As a result, Renzo Martini earned the 2025 European Baseball Championship Best Hitter award. He now joins Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

How Team Italy can reach the 2025 European Baseball Championship finals

Roberto Angotti3 Comments
2023 WBC stars Nicky Lopez, Vinnie Pasquantino, Miles Mastrobuoni and Brett Sullivan

Despite a 4-2 record during the 2023 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic, Team Italy placed ninth due to Team Quality Balance. After suffering an 8-3 upset by Sweden (8th place) and a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to eventual silver medalist Great Britain early in the tournament, the Azzurri did not reach the quarterfinals. As a result, the Italians were relegated to the 9-12 placement round and did not automatically qualify for the 2025 European Baseball Championship in the Netherlands.

Now Team Italy must earn the right to compete against the top 2023 Euro finishers (Groups A and B) in Rotterdam from September 24-27, 2025 by hosting and winning one of two qualifiers (Group C) in Novara from September 20-22, 2025. The Italians begin their journey in Novara with the aim of returning to Rotterdam, where the Azzurri last won the 2012 European Baseball Championship title and aspire to recapture the gold magic again thirteen years later.

The top eight finishers from the 2023 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship are broken up into two groups, Groups A and B, in a round-robin tourney at Neptunus Familiestadion in Rotterdam. Group A features reigning champion Spain along with Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden, while host 2023 bonze medalist Kingdom of the Netherlands competes in Group B with Great Britain, France and Israel.

Eight countries competing in the 2025 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship Qualifiers are included in Groups C and D at different locations. Group C takes place in Novara, where Team Italy faces Switzerland, Greece and Lithuania. Belgium hosts Group D in Borgerhoutm and plays against Croatia, Austria and Hungary.

The top two teams from Groups C and D advance to Rotterdam and play the third and fourth-place finishers from Groups A and B. Then the winners of the aforementioned clashes together with the first two teams from Groups A and B compete in an elimination round to determine the medal winners.

Below is the road map for Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli and technical coaching coordinator Gibo Gerali to lead the Azzurri squad to the 2025 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship final:

Saturday, September 20, 2025 9:30 am (ET) Switzerland vs. Team Italy in Novara

Sunday, September 21, 2025 9:30 am (ET) Team Italy vs. Lithuania in Novara

Monday, September 22, 2025 9:30 am (ET) Greece vs. Team Italy in Novara

Assuming Team Italy wins all three games listed above in Novara and continues to win the games below in Rotterdam then the road map looks like this:

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Travel Day to Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 1:30 pm (ET) Team Italy vs. Group B fourth-place finisher (Kingdom of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France and Israel)

Thursday, September 25, 2025 1:30 pm (ET) Team Italy vs. Group A leader (Spain, Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden)

Friday, September 26, 2025 1:30 pm (ET) Team Italy vs. Semifinalist or Group A runner-up (Spain, Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden)

Saturday, September 27, 2025 1:30 pm (ET) Team Italy vs. Finalist or Group B leader or runner-up (Kingdom of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France and Israel)

Team Italy hopes to recapture the European Baseball Championship throne after a lengthy 13-year drought. The Italians have won the Euro title ten times, while Kingdom of the Netherlands has dominated the tournament with 24 first-place finishes. The last time the two powerhouses met was at the Euro Championship final in 2019, when the Dutch prevailed in a 5-1 Euro Gold Medal victory in Bonn, Germany. It has been a long four years since 2021 European Baseball Championship host Team Italy earned a medal after a 2-0 shutout over Spain in the Bronze Medal Game in Torino.

Team Italy vs. Kingdom of the Netherlands

Nothing would be more enjoyable than a rematch between Team Italy and Kingdom of the Netherlands in the 2025 European Baseball Championship final in Rotterdam, where the Italians last won the Euros in 2012. Purchase your tickets for EuroBaseball 2025 by clicking HERE. If you cannot make it in person, watch all the action live by clicking HERE. Forza #Italia!

Team Italy’s Miles Mastrobuoni earns Seattle Mariners’ Opening Day roster spot after hot-hitting Spring Training

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During 2025 Spring Training, Seattle Mariners utility man Miles Mastrobuoni displayed versatility on the field playing multiple positions (3B, 2B, CF, and LF) and demonstrated his prowess at the plate (.429 batting average with three doubles, one triple, five walks, seven RBI, seven runs scored and one stolen base). M’s manager Dan Wilson said, “There’s been a lot of guys that have had good springs. Mastrobuoni has been one of those guys that has put up some good at-bats and had some key RBIs for us late in games.” As a result, Miles was selected as one of 26 players on the 2025 Seattle Mariners Opening Day roster.

Selected in the 14th round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays out of the University of Nevada, Reno. Northern California native Miles Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022 after spending seven seasons in the minor leagues. In 2022, he 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.

Mastrobuoni was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Alfredo Zarraga on November 15, 2022.  He has played at every infield position but first base and the corner-outfield positions over the course of his three-year MLB career. The Seattle Mariners acquired the proud Italian American on January 14, 2025 from the Chicago Cubs for his defensive versatility and speed (16 of 17 in MLB stolen base attempts).

Under the guidance of National Baseball Hall of Famer and Team Italy manager Mike Piazza during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Azzurri second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni went 5-for-18 with two doubles, one walk, two RBI, one run scored and one stolen base to lead the Italians to the their best-ever WBC finish in the Tokyo quarterfinals. He is one of the most underrated players in MLB. The soon-to-be Mariners fan favorites rises to the occasion when asked to perform at a high level and delivers when needed most. Forza #Italia!

Team Italy Infielders in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

Roberto Angotti1 Comment

DAVID FLETCHER

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.