Team Italy catcher and designated hitter Drew Butera recently signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers with an invitation to Spring Training Camp in Surprise, Arizona. The 37-year-old veteran, who has caught two no-hitters and has played for five different franchises during his 11-year MLB career, will be competing for an opening day roster spot against favorite Jose Trevino, newcomer Aramis Garcia, and top propect Sam Huff.
Drew Butera has spent the last two-plus with the Colorado Rockies organization. Prior to that, he played for the Kansas City Royals for three and a half seasons. Catcher Drew Butera called games from behind the plate for former Royals pitcher and current Texas Rangers GM Chris Young from 2015-17. So it comes as no surprise that the Rangers' front office would like to tap into the synergy the dynamic duo produced as 2015 World Champions.
Drew Butera, who has represented Team Italy in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics, is a strong supporter of the . He and his father, former Team Italy coach and current Toronto Blue Jays scout Sal Butera, were recently special guests on episode nine of the . Catcher Sal Butera played 359 MLB games for the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos and Detroit Tigers from 1980-1988. One of 235 father-son combinations to play in the big leagues, Sal and Drew Butera are just the third father and son duo to each win a World Series. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
