Team Italy’s John Andreoli hopes to fill the gap in the San Francisco Giants' outfield

With the departure of outfielders Andrew McCutchen, Hunter Pence, Gregor Blanco, and Gorkys Hernandez, the San Francisco Giants need the speedy John Andreoli now more than ever. Claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers on February 1, 2019, the 28-year-old non-roster spring training invitee joins a group of outfielders with little MLB experience. With two open starting spots in the San Francisco outfield, Team Italy’s John Andreoli has the opportunity to make an impact on the Big League level should he make a lasting impression on Giants manager Bruce Bochy at spring training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona. Considering San Francisco recently signed 31-year-old Gerardo Parra on February 13, 2019, the Giants are looking for leadership with a veteran presence in the outfield.  

It appears the table is set for John Andreoli to skip Triple-A Sacramento and go directly to Oracle Park in San Francisco if the proud Italian American can demonstrate he is worthy of a long look at least as a back-up outfielder or as a pinch-hitter/pinch-runner off the bench. A secret weapon against left-handed pitching, John Andreoli posted a .866 OPS against lefties in Triple-A last season. When making his MLB debut for the Seattle Mariners on May 23, 2018, he started in right field and batted eighth against the Oakland A's at the Oakland Coliseum. In his first Major League game, John Andreoli singled, walked and made a potentially game-saving catch in the bottom of the eighth inning when he robbed A’s catcher Jonathan Lucroy of an extra-base hit with a remarkable sliding grab to protect the Mariners’ slim 1-0 lead and eventual win.  

The Baltimore Orioles claimed John Andreoli off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on August 18, 2018. He went to play 23 games in the Orioles outfield and was reclaimed by the Mariners on October 31, 2018. John Andreoli was a hot item on the waiver wire during the offseason as he was claimed by the Texas Rangers on January 15, 2018 and claimed again by the San Francisco Giants.

Drafted in the 17th round by the Chicago Cubs in 2011, loyal Team Italy supporters know what John Andreoli is capable of doing based on his performance in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He went 6-for-16 with three home runs, five runs scored and seven RBI in the tournament. On opening night against host and favorite Mexico, John Andreoli had the walkoff hit which sent the hardcore Mexican fans home from the sold-out Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in disbelief after the Italians came back from a four-run deficit to win 10-9. He nearly repeated another heroic moment when his solo home run gave Team Italy a narrow lead in the tie-breaker game against Venezuela; however, the Azzurri could not hold on in their 4-3 loss in the elimination game. The heartbreaking defeat was one of two one-run losses to Venezuela. During the 2017 WBC, John Andreoli went 6-for-16 with three home runs, five runs scored and seven RBI in four games.

When asked about his experience playing for Team Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic in Mexico, John Andreoli smiled. He said, “It was awesome. A lot of the guys on the team that were in the big leagues said it was very similar to the playoffs to that atmosphere we had in Guadalajara. Just to have that in my back pocket of what to expect is big. To play against guys on Venezuela and Puerto Rico that were MLB All-Stars and played in the World Series and to know that I can compete against them and do well is good going forward for my career.” Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti