Undrafted Italiano signs with Phillies

Last Friday night, recent Penn graduate Nick Italiano was out to dinner with his girlfriend, undrafted and unsigned by a Major League Baseball team.

Today, he is playing in his first game for the Gulf Coast League's Phillies against the Gulf Coast League's Pirates.

"It was definitely a surprise," Italiano said.

Indeed, it was a good thing that Philadelphia Phillies scout Gene Schall called when he did.

"I was getting ready to make some other plans for next year," Italiano said.

Italiano, who this year earned the Blair Batting Title, given to the player with the highest batting average in Ivy League play, is the fourth Penn athlete to sign with a Major League team.

Russ Brocato, Ben Krantz, and Andrew McCreery were all drafted on June 4.

On that very same day, Italiano's hopes for a professional baseball career in the MLB appeared to be fading.

But now his prospects are as bright as the sun in Clearwater, Florida, where the Gulf Coast League games are played.

"Any opportunity you get to play is great," Italiano said. "I'm in the same situation as the guys that were drafted now."

"I'm getting the same chance that they are."

Penn coach Bob Seddon mirrored Italiano's sentiment.

"It will give Nick the chance to really find out if he can make it or not," he said. "There won't be any 'could have's' or 'should have's.'"

Upon receiving the phone call from the Phillies, Italiano left the following night on a flight to Clearwater, Florida.

After arriving on Saturday night, Italiano had an off-day on Sunday, and then practiced on Monday and Tuesday with the team.

While his role is not yet etched in stone, Italiano believes that he will have ample opportunity to prove that he is capable of playing at the next level.

Seddon compared Italiano to the Atlanta Braves' Matt Franco, a player who is not a superstar in the Majors but has contributed to many ballclubs throughout his career. Seddon noted that they are both left-handed, "built similar," and they have the "same stature."

"If he bulks up, he could become like Rey Sanchez or Carlos Baerga as a youngster," Seddon added.

"I'm going to play some middle-infield," Italiano said. "I should get a decent amount of playing time."

Italiano did not experience the thrill of being called on draft day. But now, none of that really matters.

"I'm really excited and happy about this opportunity," Italiano said. "I'm going to try to make the most of it."

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