Team Italy catcher Drew Butera is enjoying his time at Colorado Rockies Summer Camp
Team Italy and Colorado Rockies catcher Drew Butera homered off left-handed pitcher Jake McGee in the first intrasquad game at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on July 11, 2020. In his first at-bat in the game while hitting eighth in the lineup for Team Purple against the Pinstripes, 36-year-old Drew Butera drilled the third pitch offered by reliever Jake McGee down the left field line into the stands to give Team Purple a 2-0 lead.
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black knows that the tried-and-tested catcher who has caught two no-hitters during his ten years of MLB experience brings leadership to the clubhouse. Bud Black spoke highly of Drew Butera and said, “You know when you see him, you feel good about him behind the plate. He’s a good defender, has got a good head on his shoulders, he’s got a personality that you know around the clubhouse, in the dugout, during the game is one of confidence.”
Drew Butera has the confidence of both skipper Bud Black and the Rockies pitching staff. He understands the competition to serve as backup catcher to starter Tony Wolters is stiff with 25-year-old rookie Dom Nunez and 29-year-old veteran Elías Díaz vying for the position.
With MLB Opening Day rosters expanded to 30 players for the first two weeks of the season and the addition of the three-player Taxi Squad (featuring at least one catcher) for every road trip, the chances are better than ever for Drew Butera to be traveling to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Friday, July 24, 2020 when the Colorado Rockies play their regular season opener against the Texas Rangers. The three-player Taxi Squad will be permitted to work out with the team on the road, while the catcher will also be allowed to serve as a bullpen catcher. At the end of the road trip, Taxi Squad players will return to the team’s Alternate Training Site, though the catcher will be permitted to stay with the team as a bullpen catcher for home games. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
