Samuel Aldegheri debuts as 1st MLB pitcher born, raised in Italy

ANAHEIM — When lefty Samuel Aldegheri takes the mound against the Mariners on Friday, he’ll be making history.

The prospect will become the first pitcher born and raised in Italy in the Majors, as he grew up in Verona, Italy, in a small town called San Martino Buon Albergo. Aldegheri, ranked as the Angels’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies for $210,000 in July 2019 before being acquired by the Halos in the trade that sent closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia on July 27.

The last Italian-born pitcher to make it to the Majors was Marino Pieretti, who appeared in 194 games with Washington, Chicago (AL) and Cleveland, in a career that ended in 1950. But he also wasn’t raised in Italy, so it’s a special moment for Aldegheri, who earned the promotion from Double-A Rocket City. The last position player from Italy to reach the Majors was Alex Liddi, an infielder who played in 61 games with the Mariners from 2011-13.

Angels manager Ron Washington said he’s still learning about Adelgheri because the organization acquired him just a month ago, but said he’s excited for the 22-year-old to make his debut. He’ll be the first of two highly touted Angels prospects to debut this weekend, as No. 1 prospect Caden Dana will be called up to make his first career start on Sunday despite being just 20 years old.

“I don’t know much about him,” Washington said of Aldegheri. “But I’m looking forward to watching him. We’ve got great reports on him. I’m looking forward to the kid coming up and getting his feet wet, and see how he handles himself. We get the chance to look at some of our good young kids, and they’ve been handling themselves well.”

Aldegheri has posted a combined 3.59 ERA with 134 strikeouts, 41 walks and just three homers allowed in 95 1/3 innings across High-A and Double-A this year. He had a 5.19 ERA with 25 strikeouts and nine walks in 17 1/3 innings over four starts with Double-A Rocket City since the trade.

He was acquired along with hard-throwing right-hander George Klassen, who is ranked as the club’s No. 3 prospect. Aldegheri has a classic lefty profile with a fastball that mostly sits in the low 90s to go along with a slider, curveball and changeup. He has the pitch mix to remain a starter, as he’s been able to rack up big strikeout numbers in the Minors while limiting homers. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder missed most of the 2022 season with shoulder soreness, but he has been healthy over the past two years.

Aldegheri is the latest Angels youngster to make an early debut, joining others who got to the Majors in a hurry, such as first baseman Nolan Schanuel, shortstop Zach Neto, closer Ben Joyce, lefty Reid Detmers and right-handers Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman and Victor Mederos. It’s been part of a strategy from general manager Perry Minasian, who signed a two-year extension on Aug. 22.

“We were excited to be able to acquire two young arms — one at the Double-A level and one pitching in High-A — both talented,” Minasian said at the time of the trade for Aldegheri and Klassen. “They’re really good kids. The makeup was really important on this one. We felt like they were good fits for us and improved our pitching depth overall.”

Aldegheri told The Athletic this past spring that he started playing baseball because his older brother, Mattia, played and there was a field near the home. He spent much of his time watching videos of Major Leaguers, such as fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw, and participated in youth tournaments around Europe. But he expressed confidence that he’d make history and reach the Majors.

“Oh, I’m a hundred percent sure that I will make it,” Aldegheri told The Athletic. “I don’t know how and when. But I’m sure I will make it to the bigs. Because it’s my life. I’m working out every day. It’s my dream. I am living to be a big leaguer. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices. I’m far from home, from my family. I left everything there. That’s what I feel like I’m living for. So I’m 100% sure. I know I’m a good pitcher. I have good stuff.”