MLB.com’s minor league expert Jonathan Mayo took a look at Italians number one pitching prospect Alessandro Maestri shortly before the start of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, in which manager Marco Mazzotti and pitching coach Bill Holmberg hope that they can rely on him. The 23-year-old had an ERA of 4.04 in 89 innings last season. Mayo examines the thinking of the Chicago Cubs, Maestri’s employer, as they converted him into a starter last year. He was shut down during the summer due to shoulder problems and they determined that he is better suited for the bullpen. In this role he might even get a chance to make the jump from the Double-A team into the big leagues this upcoming season. But before that, he is going to play for Italy in the WBC.