Los Angeles Angels pitcher Samuel Aldegheri (66) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Angels' Samuel Aldegheri accomplished feat last done in 1949

By David Hill | Last updated Sep 6, 2024 11:26 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Samuel Aldegheri already made history this season.

Aldegheri made his debut on Aug. 30, allowing seven runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks over five innings, striking out three. He became the first person born and raised in Italy to reach the majors and just the eighth major leaguer to be born in that country.

The Angels gave Aldegheri another chance despite his rough debut. He was up to the challenge on Friday, allowing just one run on three hits and threw walks over six innings, striking out seven batters. Aldegheri earned his first major league win in the Angels' 5-1 victory over the Rangers, becoming the first Italian-born pitcher to record a win since Marino Pieretti back in 1949.

Samuel Aldegheri becomes the first Italian-born pitcher to record a win since 1949 pic.twitter.com/HXa6FL6ItH
— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2024

Aldegheri was signed to a $200,000 bonus by the Phillies as an international free agent in 2019 but was unable to join the organization until 2021 due to the pandemic. He slowly moved up the ranks, reaching Double-A before being sent to the Angels as part of the Carlos Estevez trade. Aldegheri made four starts in Double-A for the Angels before making his major league debut.

Ranked as the Angels' eighth-best prospect by MLB.com, Aldegheri has gone from being viewed as a possible long reliever to a viable option for a rotation. He has four pitches that grade out as average — a low 90s fastball with a high spin rate, a slider that sits in the low 80s, a curve and a changeup that he has worked on developing this season. As the Angels are looking for pieces for the future, Aldegheri will have every chance to claim a spot in the 2025 rotation.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

More must-reads: