Lorenzo Morresi and Alessandro Ercolani represent Team Italy at MLB College Showcase in Arizona

FIBS Academy graduate and Team Italy U18 catcher Lorenzo Moressi along with Team Italy U15 pitcher Alessandro Ercolani are having the chance of a lifetime at the fourth annual MLB College Showcase in Arizona. More than 30 high school-aged amateur players from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America were invited to participate in the 10-day event, which kicked off with games against Arizona State University and Arizona Western College last week. This week the young and talented international prospects play Central Arizona College and Arizona Western College before taking part in the Arizona Fall Classic and competing against the MLB Youth Academy on October 13, 2019 at the Peoria Sports Complex, the Spring Training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.

Lorenzo Moressi and Alessandro Ercolani participated in a Pro-Style Showcase designed to allow the Team Italy players to demonstrate their skills in front of college recruiters and pro scouts at Salt River Fields, the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Since its inception four years ago, the MLB College Showcase has achieved a 74% success rate in either having participants sign professional contracts with MLB teams or move on to play collegiate ball in the U.S.

The 2019 MLB College Showcase roster includes players from Australia, Brazil, China, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Uganda. 15-year-old Italian pitching prospect Alessandro Ercolani said, “I am going to take with me a lot of good memories from this beautiful experience. It’s been fun, and I have learned a lot. I have made new friends and learned different languages.” Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti