Italian Infielder Luca Martone signs with Houston Astros

After the German outfielder Max Kepler-Rozycki agreed on terms with the Minnesota Twins organization on the weekend, an Italian switch-hitting middle infielder followed at the beginning of the week. Baseball.it reports on Monday that Luca Martone from Nettuno signed a six-year contract with the Houston Astros organization to become the sixth current Italian minor leaguer besides Alex Liddi (Mariners), Alessandro Maestri (Cubs), Luca Panerati, Matteo Pizziconi (both Reds) and Andrea Lucati (Astros).

Martone was signed by the European coordinator of scouting of the Houston Astros and current manager of the Italian Baseball League club TELEMARKET RIMINI Mauro Mazzotti. He had his eyes on the 16-year-old, who will celebrate his 17th birthday in October, since spring, but had to wait until the beginning of the international free agent signing period, which started on July 2nd, to put him under contract. He is one of five players from outside the US to come to the Astros in the last couple of days. General manager Ed Wade also announced that Alexander Martinez, Kilby Pena, Enderson Franco and Yonathan Mejia will be added to the organization.

The fan of the New York Yankees, who idolizes Derek Jeter and Omar Vizquel,  is playing Baseball since he is seven years old and since then is also a member of the Baseball Club in Nettuno, being on the roster of the Under-21 squad for two years now. He made his Italian Baseball League debut and so far lone appearance for DANESI NETTUNO on May 31st against DE ANGELIS GODO. Martone is going to play the European Junior Championships in Bonn, Germany in August for Italy, before making first steps in pro ball in September, joining an Instructional League. Then next year in March he will make the trip to Kissimmee, Florida for the Minor League spring training camp.