The Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) announced the Club Italia Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games project.
Baseball National Team manager Mike Piazza will open camp with 18 players on October 7 in the Kansas City Royals Spring Training facility in Surprise, Arizona, USA. The players are all Italian Baseball League prospects:
PITCHERS (13) Mattia Aldegheri, Marco Artitzu, Mattia Bernardis, Matteo Bocchi, Diego Gergolet, Ettore Giulianelli, Matteo Marelli, Riccardo Nepoti, Francesco Pomponi, Mattia Sireus, Giacomo Taschin, Federico Virgadaula, Enrico Zanchi
INFIELDERS (2) Gabriele Angioi, Nicholas Bertoldi
CATCHERS (3) Andres Annunziata, Niccolò Cinelli, Corrado Resca.
World Baseball Classic alums Nicky Lopez (second baseman, Chicago White Sox), Brett Sullivan (catcher, San Diego Padres), Matt Festa (pitcher, Texas Rangers) and Ryan Castellani (pitcher, Algodoneros Union Laguna, Mexican League) will join the camp together with players Italian scouts have selected in the US; pitcher Jack Caglianone (Kansas City Royals) and 18-year-old pitching prospect Luke Giusto.
Piazza developed his working programme with coaches Gianguido Poma, Blake Butera, and Felice Cundari. Former Italian pitcher and Kansas City Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney, his manager Matt Quatraro, and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo have announced their intention to visit the camp. Former Azzurri shortstop Jack Santora (infielders) and Caitlyn Callahan (hitters) will work as instructors.
The Italian delegation will then move to the University of Tampa, Florida, for a series of development games.
Infielders Edoardo Cornelli, Samuele Gamberini, Alessandro Laise, Williams Wong and Manuel Zazza; outfielder Samuele Bruno; World Baseball Classic pitchers Joey Marciano and Matt Festa; and independent league pitcher Christian Scafidi will join the group in Florida. Festa won't be eligible to compete in the games.
Piazza's staff also includes coaches Michele Gerali, Rolando Cretis, Roberto Corradini, Fabio Betto, Matthew Boccardi and Gianluca Poli.
Jim Hickey (Washington Nationals), Andrew Cresci (Houston Astros) and analyst Anthony Lucchese (Toronto Blue Jays) will join the staff in Tampa.
Rob Fumagalli (Cincinnati Reds) and Simone Bonaccorso will be in charge of conditioning.
Cover photo credit: Corrado Benedetti/FIBS
