Born in Verona, Italy on September 19, 2001, Samuel Aldegheri makes his MLB debut without going through the Triple-A level. Before starting his professional career in the United States, Samuel Aldegheri pitched briefly in Serie A between 2019 and 2020 for Parma Clima. Discovered by scout Claudio Scerrato, Aldegheri was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in June 2019. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not make his minor league pitching debut in the Instructional League until 2021. The crafty lefty quickly ascended up to Single-A ball that same season before climbing up to Single-A Advanced in 2023.
The quality of his pitches improved dramatically as he drew the attention of scouts and insiders. This year, after just 13 games in Single-A where he registered 95 strikeouts and issued just 28 walks in 68 innings pitched, Aldegheri was promoted to Double-A and became the center of attention days before the trade deadline. With very little experience at the Double-A level, Samuel Aldegheri was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels. The Philadelphia Phillies received closer Carlos Estevéz in exchange for the promising Italian pitching prospect.
While a member of the Trash Pandas, the Los Angeles Angels Double-A team, Samuel Aldegheri pitched in four games and confirmed to members of the MLB organization that he was capable of competing at the highest level of the game without seeing action at Triple-A.
Samuel Aldegheri started playing baseball at the age of five, taking his first steps in San Martino Buon Albergo under the guidance of Stefano Burato before continuing his career in Dynos Verona.
Samuel has an older brother, pitcher Mattia Aldegheri, with whom he has played internationally with for Team Italy in the 2017 U18 World Cup and the 2018 U18 European Championship, Samuel made his Team Italy Senior Elite debut at 2018 Prague Baseball Week and traveled to Arizona with the Azzurri for a series of Instructional League exhibition games. In addition to their experience with the national team, the two brothers pitched together for Parma Clima in Serie A. Samuel made his debut in 2019 and later pitched in eight games in 2020.
After being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 and making his professional debut in 2021, Samuel Aldeghieri has since appeared in 55 games where he has posted an 11-11 record with 282 strikeouts and 93 walks in 212.1 innings pitched with a 3.60 ERA.
On Friday, August 30, 2024 at 6:38 pm (local time), Samuel Aldegheri makes his MLB debut for the Los Angeles Angels against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.and becomes the first Italian-born and developed pitcher in MLB history. The first position player born and raised in Italy to make his MLB debut was Alex Liddi for the Seattle Mariners on September 7, 2011 at Angel Stadium.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy pitcher Samuel Aldegheri in action by PhotoBass)
