Team Italy pitcher Luis Lugo joins Parma Clima in Serie A1 League

After spending seven years in the Cleveland Indians organization and signing a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on December 1, 2017, Venezuelan-born Luis Lugo will migrate back to his Italian roots by pitching for Serie A1's Parma Clima. Having started for Team Italy in the Premier 12 against Canada in 2015 and again in 2017 during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs before his World Baseball Classic debut against Puerto Rico, Luis Lugo is well-respected internationally. Through the recruiting efforts of Sal Varriale and Massimo Fochi, the crafty 24-year-old left-hander--who went 8-7 in 25 starts with a 4.35 ERA for the Cleveland Indians Double-A affiliate Akron RubberDucks in 2017--will be an integral part of the Parma Clima pitching arsenal. An excited Luis Lugo said, "I was first contacted about two weeks ago while I was in Venezuela. Now I will be in Italy on Wednesday." The timing could not be better for Parma Clima (3-3) as the team comes off a pair of shutout victories over previously undefeated T&A San Marino (4-2) this past weekend. Under manager Gianguido Poma, Luis Lugo reunites with Azzurri teammates Stefano Desimoni, Jose Escalona, Sebastiano Poma, Yomel Rivera, and Alex Sambucci on Parma Clima. Together on the same squad again, the Team Italy alumni on Parma Clima pose a serious threat to the current Serie A1 leaders, Rimini (6-0) and Unipolsai Bologna (5-1). With the addition of Luis Lugo to Parma Clima, Nuova Citta' Netttuno (2-4), Tommasin Padova (2-4), Nettuno Baseball City (1-5), and Polisportiva Padule (1-5) will need to step up their game in the Italian Serie A1 League. Let's wish all the teams the best of luck in what appears to be a hotly contested baseball season in Italy. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti