Joey Williamson, the righty who has captivated the Italian Baseball League thus far in 2014
On Saturday, May 31st we all got a chance to see Joey Williamson shine on the bump once again for UnipolSai Bologna in a game in which he took on Tommasin Padova. It was yet another quality start for the American righty as he took his club into the 6th inning where he gave up 5 hits, 0 runs, and struck out 11 opposing hitters. Thus far in 2014 Williamson has posted a perfect 7 and 0 record with a 0.16 ERA, accumulating 56.0 innings pitched on the bump, given up only 27 hits, 3 total runs only (one of which was earned), and has accumulated 73 strikeouts. At the moment opposing hitters are only hitting .141 off of him which is making it a safe bet to say that he has been a difference maker for a club that has struggled with the stick thus far, but claims an almost perfect record of 17 and 1 in this the first round of the 2014 Italian Baseball League. “I’m quite pleased with the results that we have been able to collect thus far, especially seeing as if we are still playing quality ball even after being assured a spot in round two for a couple of weeks now. We’ve had a wonderful season thus far, 
we’re playing solid defense, pitching with the best of them and getting the timely hits at the plate. Heading into round two we’re going to have to stay focused, continue working hard, and we should see the results that we expect,” expressed Williamson. “It’s safe to say that I’ve adapted well to the Italian Baseball League thus far, the Fortitudo organization has helped me every step of the way which has made it easier on me, allowing me to concentrate on my game.”
In his career, Williamson came close to breaking it with a ‘Big League’ club on a couple of different occasions, coming up just short in 2011 and 2012 with the Rockies origination. After beginning his career in 2007 with the Rockies, this righty made his way up through the rankings pitching in AAA with Colorado Springs on four different occasions between 2011 and 2012. In 2013 after he was let go by the Rockies, Williamson was picked up by the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic Independent league where he posted a 3 and 2 record with a 3.98 ERA over 11 games (all as a starter). If Williamson is able to keep up his pace in 2014 in the Italian Baseball League, he will be without a doubt the front-runner for the best foreign pitcher award.
