Team Italy pitcher and Milwaukee Brewers prospect Michele Vassalotti set to play for Brisbane Bandits in Australian Baseball League
Originally signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 9, 2017 as a 16-year-old free agent out of Venezuela, Team Italy pitcher Michele Vassalotti now finds himself as a promising 20-year-old prospect on the road to success playing for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Baseball League (ABL). Following in the footsteps of Team Italy pitching patriarch Alessandro Maestri, who ventured down under nearly a decade ago and won the 2012 ABL Fans Choice Award while playing for the Brisbane Bandits, Michele Vassalotti is one of five Milwaukee prospects selected to play winter ball in Australia. Having recently completed six weeks of Arizona Fall Instructional League at the Brewers Spring Training complex in Phoenix with over 50 of Milwaukee's top prospects, Michele Vassalotti has reportedly improved his velocity and been hitting the mid-90s on the radar gun consistently. Milwaukee hopes the Italian-Venezuelan hurler can continue to make forward progress in Australia and become an intimidating figure on the mound in 2021.
Representing Team Italy in the 2017 WBSC U18 World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada, Azzurri pitcher Michele Vassalotti went 1-0 in two starts (11 innings) with a 1.64 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Michele Vassalotti pitched in the Dominican Summer League prior to meeting his Italian teammates for the first time in Canada. His U.S. debut for the 2018 Arizona Rookie League Brewers was impressive as he compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.21 ERA before being promoted to the Helena Brewers. Michele Vassalotti was the opening day starter for the Brewers Rookie Advanced affiliate Rocky Mountain Vibes on June 14, 2019 and shortly thereafter was named the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week on July 7, 2019. Despite sporting an inflated 6.04 ERA where the ball carried in high elevations at the various ballparks in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado, the hard-throwing Michele Vassalotti led the 2019 Rocky Mountain Vibes in games started (15) and wins (5) while ranking second in strikeouts (60) and innings pitched (65).
In an attempt to make up for lost time due to the pandemic, Michele Vassalotti is destined to gain invaluable experience pitching for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Baseball League because of the efforts of former Brewers catcher Dave Nilsson. Currently the Brisbane Bandits director of baseball operations, Dave Nilsson retired from MLB early to return to his native Australia to help grow the game. He was also instrumental in resurrecting a Bandits and Brewers partnership in which the Brewers send aspiring prospects to play for the Bandits during the winter to further their development. In preparation for the start of the ABL season, the Brisbane Bandits will play two exhibition games as part of a three-day development camp from December 18-20, 2020 on the Gold Coast. The Brisbane Bandits will face Brisbane’s futures squad for two seven-inning games at Mudgeeraba on December 19 and 20. To follow Michele Vassalotti and the Brisbane Bandits, click . Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
