Team Italy slugger Leo Seminati powers Billings Mustangs to 8-5 win over Rocky Mountain Vibes with a double and two homers
Team Italy slugger Leo Seminati demonstrated his pop at the plate when he doubled in his second at-bat and followed with back-to-back home runs to catapult the Cincinnati Reds Rookie Advanced affiliate Billings Mustangs to a 8-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate Rocky Mountain Vibes at UCHealth Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 10, 2019. His solo home run in the seventh inning and his three-run blast in the eighth inning led to two three-run rallies for the Billings Mustangs. Hitting second in the lineup while playing first and third base defensively, "Grande Leo" Seminati was the difference in the game by going 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs, two runs and four RBI. It was the first multi-home run game for the team this season. Leading the squad with five homers, the 20 year-old corner infielder is fouth-best in batting average with an eye-popping .348 clip.
In his second year of professional baseball since signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017, "Grande Leo" Seminati has made quite an impression in Minor League Baseball. Kicking off last summer with the Arizona League Reds, Team Italy slugger Leo Seminati was called up to Cincinnati Reds Rookie Advanced affiliate Billings Mustangs just in time for the team to make the Pioneer League playoffs. In a small sample size, he hit .279 with a double, triple and home run in 43 at-bats. Since the Billings Mustangs season opener this year on June 14, 2019, "Grande Leo" Seminati has proven that he is the real deal offering power and punch in every at-bat.
The Italian-born and developed player is a product of the FIBS Baseball Academy. He represented the Azzurri squad internationally in Taiwan, Mexico, and Canada when he wore "Italia" across his chest in three different World Cup competitions as a member of the U12, U15, and U18 national teams. Now a long way from his birthplace in northern Italy (Alzano Lombardy-Bergamo), "Grande Leo" Seminati is making a name for himself outside of Europe. While playing for the Arizona League Reds on August 13, 2018, he hit the longest home run of the year in the entire Cincinnati Reds Minor League organzation when he powered a 477 foot blast in the desert.
The future looks bright for Team Italy slugger and Cincinnati Reds prospect Leo Seminati. When Pioneer League action ceases in early September, Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali will be looking for "Grande Leo" to help the Azzurri squad win both the European Baseball Championship in Bonn, Germany and the Europe / Africa Olympic Baseball Qualifier in Bologna / Parma, Italy. There would be no better baseball joy than seeing "Grande Leo" playing for Team Italy in the 2020 Olympic Games followed by a 2021 Cincinnati Reds Spring Training game debut in Goodyear, Arizona. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
