Team Italy holds Arizona training camp prior to 2023 World Baseball Classic

Team Italy holds Arizona training camp prior to 2023 World Baseball Classic
21/02/2023
A mix of up-and-coming Italian prospects and members of the Team Italy roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic will meet in Scottsdale, Arizona for Spring Training camp

In anticipation of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Taichung, Taiwan, Team Italy will be joined by promising Italian prospects for a week-long training camp at Notre Dame Preparatory High School’s Roskos Family Field in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Italian delegation is due to arrive on February 22, 2023. Players not participating in the WBC are expected to return to Italy on March 1, 2023.  

Team Italy manager Mike Piazza organized the gathering with the dual purpose of allowing professional players not participating in MLB-affiliated Spring Training to work with the best up-and-coming prospects. Several Italian players are currently competing at various U.S. colleges. Azzurri skipper and National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza will be assisted by Team Italy WBC coaches Chris Denorfia, Jack Santora, Mike Borzello, Jason Simontacchi and Michele Gerali. In addition, Azzurrrini coaching coordinator Gianguido Poma and pitching coach Rolando Cretis will also help out in Scottsdale.

The following players are expected to participate in Scottsdale:

No.Last NameFirst Name PositionYear of Birth
1AIELLOVINCENZORHP1998
2ANNUNZIATA NINOANDRES ANTONIOC2005
3BASSANIALEXRHP1990
4BIAGINIJOSEPH CARLORHP1990
5BOCCHIMATTEORHP1996
6CASTELLANIRYAN MICHAELRHP1996
7DEOTTOALESSANDROC1995
8ERCOLANIALESSANDRORHP2004
9FANTINICHOLASLHP1996
10GARBELLANICOLA LUCIANO SATHYARHP/OF1992
11GARCIAROBEL ESTIWALIF1993
12GAVIGLIOSAMUEL JOSEPHRHP1990
13HARVEYMATTHEW EDWARDRHP1989
14LORENZINIBRAXTON RYANRHP1995
15MARCIANOJOSEPH JAMESLHP1995
16MASTROBUONIMARCUS ALLENC1993
17MINEOALBERTOC1994
18MORRESILORENZOC2001
19PAOLINIRICARDOIF1999
20PINAZZINICOLO'LHP1999
21RAGIONIERIMARCOC2004
22SCAFIDICHRISTIAN PAULRHP1997
23SCOTTICLAUDIORHP1998
24TIMPANELLIVINCENT THOMASR1998
25VALENTEJOHN MARCOIF1995
26VOLPEALESSANDROOF2005
27VASSALOTTIMICHELE ANTONIORHP2000
28WOODSSTEPHEN HUGO RHP1995

Team Italy is schedule to arrive in Taiwan on March 3, 2023. Prior to the start of the World Baseball Classic, the Azzurri squad will play exhibition games on March 5th and 6th.

2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC NEWS

by Roberto Angotti

(Photo of Team Italy coach Chris Denorfia prior to the Future Stars Game in Arezzo by PhotoBass)