Team Italy hurler Michele Vassalotti named Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week

After throwing seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits with no walks and four strikeouts on July 1 and then following up with his second win for the Rocky Mountain Vibes this season on July 6, the Team Italy right-hander and Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Michele Vassalotti was named the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week on July 7, 2019. Despite pitching where the ball carries in high elevations at the various ballparks in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado, the 18-year-old Italian Venezuelan hurler is not fazed by the challenges he faces every day in the Rookie Advanced Pioneer League. In 22.1 innings pitched so far, the hard-throwing Michele Vassalotti leads the Rocky Mountain Vibes in wins (2) and strikeouts (24).

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. Signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 9, 2017 as a 16-year-old free agent out of Venezuela, Michele Vassalotti pitched in the Dominican Summer League prior to meeting his Italian teammates for the first time in the international competition. He then pitched for the Arizona Rookie League Brewers and compiled a 5-1 record before moving up to the Pioneer League last year. As the Rocky Mountain Vibes pitching ace, Michele Vassalotti was the opening day starter on June 14, 2019.

When Pioneer League action ceases in early September, Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali would love to see Michele Vassalotti join the Azzurri squad to secure victories in both the European Baseball Championship in Bonn, Germany and the Europe / Africa Olympic Baseball Qualifier in Bologna / Parma, Italy. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti