Mister Baseball

Montepaschi Grosseto added a multi-talented player to their roster. Dave PREZIOSI joins the Italian Champion of 2007. He is supposed to pitch out of the bullpen, but can also play first and in the outfield.

The 25-year-old PREZIOSI is from Oradell, New Jersey. He went to Bergen Catholic High School and to Boston College. He pitched and manned first between 2003 and 2006 in the Big East and the ACC. He had an overall 2-0 record with an ERA of 3.16 as a reliever for the Eagles. He struck out 27 in 37 innings pitched, walking 13. He hit .299 (OBP .354/SLG .335) with 32 runs scored and 36 RBI in 54 games during his final year.

He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in the summer 2006. He appeared in 15 games for their affiliates in the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Leagues. He had a 0-2 record with two saves and a 3.24 ERA on the Rookie level and an ERA of 11.25 in Low A Ball.

The lefthander came to Europe in 2007. He started six games, including the first round of the playoffs, for the German club Paderborn Untouchables. He had a 4-2 record with an ERA of 2.31. He struck out 38 in 39 innings pitched, walking 13. He also hit .310 (.356/.524) with two homeruns, 13 runs scored and 12 RBI in eleven games. UPDATE (hat tip to DK): He already played for the U’s in 2006 before his signing with the Dodgers. He batted .486 (.568/.541) in ten games.

PREZIOSI will take some workload from the shoulders of Anthony FERRARI and Leonardo D’AMICO, who are accompanying him in the bullpen. Lincoln MIKKELSEN and Jesus OBERTO are the primary starter of Grosseto.

Montepaschi will open the Italian Baseball League season with a night game against Godo on April 17, which will be broadcast by RAI Sport Satellite.

Statistics:
Dave PREZIOSI BaseballCube & Baseball-Bundesliga