The following article is written by Mr. Andrea Palmia and published on the www.baseball.it website. It has been translated from Italian into English.

After Samuele Bruno, Nicholas Fancellu, Tiburtini, and Tamburini, the number of young Italian prospects choosing to continue their baseball careers overseas at the college level is growing. This is the case of second baseman and switch-hitter Alessandro Laise, who developed in the Senago youth system under coaches of the caliber of Claudio "Caio" Mattielli and the late Alfredo "Alfio" Moia, contributing at a very young age to the historic promotion to A1 in 2020 with the team led by Dave Sheldon. After several seasons of consistent growth and eagerness for an experience away from home, Laise moved to Farma Crocetta in 2024, strongly desired by manager Gibo Gerali, and in 2025 he joined Fortitudo Bologna. Since last summer, the almost twenty-one-year-old from Milan has embarked on an adventure at the Junior College level with Arizona Western, and before his return to the United States after the Christmas holidays, he granted Baseball.it this exclusive interview.

How were your first months in the USA and your adaptation to Arizona Western?

Alessandro Laise - I felt very comfortable right from the start, even though these months have been very, very hard and tiring physically and mentally, but honestly, I expected it. I did my best every day and luckily I managed to make the team, since initially there were 45 of us and 15 guys would have been cut at the end of these months. It was also my first time away from home for such a long period, and it certainly wasn't easy, even though I had already been to the States with the National team for the Under-18 World Cup and other events.

With you on this adventure are also two young pitching prospects, Mattia Bernardis, who grew up with the Staranzano Ducks, and Filippo Baldassarri from Pesaro…

AL - Yes, they are also very satisfied and happy to have passed the selection, even though the world of pitchers is a world apart.

How did the idea of ​​trying this experience in American colleges come about?

AL - I had been thinking about it for a while, for about two years, then in 2024 I had some physical problems and injuries (jaw and knee) and so I missed a year. I got back in shape and then started sending emails everywhere, receiving a few offers and finally choosing Arizona Western Junior College. I'm really curious to see how it goes.

Did you receive any specific guidance here in Italy or in the USA?

AL - Actually, the suggestions on how to approach and write emails to universities that Brian Grey, founder of Mynextplay.org, an American association specializing in helping high school students/players find the right college for them, gave me were really helpful.

What will you be studying at college?

AL - I enrolled in a two-year Science degree with a specialization in Biology.

What's your typical pre-season day like at Arizona Western? Quite different from the rhythms in Italy…

Yes, absolutely: breakfast at 8, then from 9 to early afternoon training, first on the field and then in the gym, a quick lunch in the cafeteria and then classes until evening, dinner, and if you don't have to study for the next day's tests, you go to bed early to be ready and active the next day.

Let's take a step back, analyzing your 2025 with the first part of the season in Serie A with Fortitudo Bologna, then the European Championships in the summer with the Under-23 National team.

AL - I'm quite happy with my half-season at Fortitudo, but not entirely, in an environment where you can grow with fantastic guys. I got along very well with everyone, coaches and teammates. On the field, there's always room for improvement, but I'm not dissatisfied. This year with the National Team was different from previous years, with a new staff led by head coach Francisco Cervelli: personally, I liked it a lot, and I wasn't the only one; you could see it on the field too, we were more united as a team, but the European Championship didn't go as we hoped, even though we played very well.

Are you in contact with any of our young talents who are now in colleges or the minors in America?

AL - Certainly, I grew up playing with Matteo Marelli, who is now in the New York Mets organization, since we were 6 years old. We talk almost every day.

When did you start playing baseball and why?

AL - My father has always been passionate about baseball and played it for 2/3 years in his youth, but he remained involved in the sport. When I was about 5 or 6 years old, a close friend and I tried it, and from then on I never stopped, going through all the youth ranks at Senago.

Do you feel more comfortable as a shortstop or second baseman?

AL - That's a good question. Personally, I consider myself a utility player capable of playing all positions. In Bologna, however, I didn't play shortstop because the position was already covered by stronger players. At this point in my career, second base is the best position for me, and I've definitely gained more confidence in that role over the last two years.

Do you have a favorite player in America?

AL - I grew up watching MLB, and Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates immediately excited and captivated me. If I had to choose a current player, I would say Francisco Lindor, the phenomenal shortstop of the New York Mets.

Alessandro Laise and the Arizona Western Matadors open their season this Tuesday, January 27th, at home versus South Mountain Community College at Walk Kammann Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon MST. All Matador home games can be seen on the Matador Sports Stream. 

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