The only promoted team in the Italian Baseball League reported their first signings for the 2008 season. The Rangers Redipuglia revamped their roster with Lizhaio BAEZ, Francesco NARDI, Matteo BERTOLDI, Paolo PIANI, Alberto VAZZOLER, Marco RICCIARELLI and Cristian GIROTTO. Jordano COLLADO and Jesus Alberto MEDINA will leave the club. They are also still searching for a main sponsorship but could go into the new season with their usual pool of about 20 smaller supporters.
Catcher BAEZ is the most important acquisition. The 24-year-old Dominican played for Avigliana in 2007. He hit .265 (OBP .335/ SLG .391) with three home runs, 16 runs scored and 17 RBI. He also threw out 20 runners in 55 stolen base attempts. He had signed a contract with the Texas Rangers organization in 2001. He appeared in a total of 209 minor league games until 2005 as high as Single A. He had a combined batting average of .275 (.334/.449). In his first two years in the United States he was an outfielder but moved behind the plate in 2004.
NARDI was a starting pitcher for the Serie A2 team Riccione last season. He had a 4-3 record with an ERA of 3.74 and 83 strikeouts (58 walks) in 106 innings pitched.
GIROTTO is coming from Castelfranco Veneto. The first baseman hit .324 (SLG .461) with 19 runs scored and 21 RBI for the Serie B club (third division in Italy).
Reliever BERTOLDI and first baseman VAZZOLER (two hits in five at-bats) were with the Europa baseball club (Serie B). BERTOLDI struck out 135 (69 base on balls) in 113.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.25.
Outfielder PIANI and infielder RICCIARELLI are coming from the Serie B teams White Sox Buttrio and Panther die Cervignano.
The Cuban manager Diosdado PANTOJA will lead the coaching staff and is going to be supported by his son Frank, in addition to Domenico TADDEO and Danilo ZANETTE.
