Heralded as one of the best coaches in Minor League Baseball, Blake Butera is ready to help Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic in Taichung, Taiwan from March 8-12, 2023.
After being selected in the 35th round of the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays and competing in 80 games over two seasons in the minor leagues, the Louisiana native retired from his playing days to become the youngest manager in Minor League Baseball history.
In 2018 at the age of 26, Blake Butera was hired as manager of the High Single-A Hudson Valley Renegades in the New York Penn League and led the team to the finals after a 45-30 record in regular season action. The following year he once again propelled his team to another playoff berth with a respectable 43-32 record.
At age 29, Blake Butera led the 2021 Low Single-A Charleston RiverDogs to its first minor league baseball title in 99 years after winning 82 of the 120 regular season games and later being named Carolina League Manager of the Year. He once again received the award in 2022 when repeating as Carolina League champions after compiling an impressive 88-44 record.
As an aspiring 30 year-old manager destined for the MLB, Blake Butera is about to lead Team Italy to greatness at the 2023 World Baseball Classic under the leadership of Azzurri manager Mike Piazza with the assistance of coaches Jack Santora, Chris Denorfia and others to be announced. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Blake Butera during the Future Stars Game in October 2022 by PhotoBass)
