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 Name
First Name
Position
Year of Birth
1
AIELLO
VINCENZO
RHP
1998
2
ANNUNZIATA
NINO
ANDRES ANTONIO
C
2005
3
BASSANI
ALEX
RHP
1990
4
BIAGINI
JOSEPH CARLO
RHP
1990
5
BOCCHI
MATTEO
RHP
1996
6
CASTELLANI
RYAN
MICHAEL
RHP
1996
7
DEOTTO
ALESSANDRO
C
1995
8
ERCOLANI
ALESSANDRO
RHP
2004
9
FANTI
NICHOLAS
LHP
1996
10
GARBELLA
NICOLA
LUCIANO SATHYA
RHP/OF
1992
11
GARCIA
ROBEL
ESTIWAL
IF
1993
12
GAVIGLIO
SAMUEL
JOSEPH
RHP
1990
13
HARVEY
MATTHEW
EDWARD
RHP
1989
14
LORENZINI
BRAXTON
RYAN
RHP
1995
15
MARCIANO
JOSEPH
JAMES
LHP
1995
16
MASTROBUONI
MARCUS
ALLEN
C
1993
17
MINEO
ALBERTO
C
1994
18
MORRESI
LORENZO
C
2001
19
PAOLINI
RICARDO
IF
1999
20
PINAZZI
NICOLO'
LHP
1999
21
RAGIONIERI
MARCO
C
2004
22
SCAFIDI
CHRISTIAN
PAUL
RHP
1997
23
SCOTTI
CLAUDIO
RHP
1998
24
TIMPANELLI
VINCENT
THOMAS
R
1998
25
VALENTE
JOHN
MARCO
IF
1995
26
VOLPE
ALESSANDRO
OF
2005
27
VASSALOTTI
MICHELE
ANTONIO
RHP
2000
28
WOODS
STEPHEN
HUGO
RHP
1995
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.