Italy national team catcher Giacomino Lasaracina has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) announced on March 1.
Lasaracina starred in 2025 for Collecchio in Italy’s Serie A1 while continuing his role with the Azzurri in international competition. The 2003-born catcher now joins a Major League Baseball organization just days before Italy opens Pool B play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Houston.
The signing follows a strong stretch both domestically and during Italy’s preparation camp in Florida. Lasaracina drew attention in recent friendlies against New York Yankees minor league prospects in Tampa, where he hit two home runs during exhibition play.
In a postgame interview, Lasaracina said:
“Sto lavorando sul tracking e sul timing… oggi mi sono ripreso.”
(“I’ve been working on tracking and timing… today I felt back in rhythm.”)
Italy pitcher Claudio Scotti also reacted to the performance during camp.
“He’s a beast. He’s young. He’s good.”
Lasaracina’s offensive showing, combined with his continued defensive development behind the plate, generated interest from multiple American organizations before Toronto finalized the agreement.
“Le mie emozioni sono grandissime perché ho lavorato tanto per raggiungere questo risultato,” Lasaracina said following the signing.
(“My emotions are overwhelming because I have worked so hard to achieve this result.”)
According to Baseball Reference and FIBS records, Lasaracina continued to progress offensively during the 2025 Serie A1 season while maintaining steady defensive work at catcher. His move into affiliated baseball adds another Italian player to an MLB development system.
Italy Catching Update: D’Orazio Replaces Mineo
Italy also announced a roster change behind the plate for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
J.J. D’Orazio has been added to the WBC roster in place of team captain Alberto Mineo, who will not participate after sustaining an injury during Early Camp in Florida.
D’Orazio, born in 2001, previously represented Italy at the 2023 European Championship in the Czech Republic. He spent the past three seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, advancing from High-A to Double-A. At the Double-A level, he posted a .221 batting average with 50 RBIs and eight home runs.
In December 2025, D’Orazio signed with the Los Angeles Angels organization.
Roberto Angotti, writing in his Team Italy Catchers preview, described D’Orazio as a catcher capable of influencing games both offensively and through his advanced work with pitchers.
His addition gives Italy another catcher with affiliated experience entering tournament play.
Italy will open Pool B competition at Daikin Park in Houston from March 6–11 against Brazil, Great Britain, the United States, and Mexico.
With Lasaracina entering the Blue Jays system and D’Orazio joining the active roster, Italy’s catcher position will feature multiple players with recent MLB-affiliated experience as the 2026 World Baseball Classic begins.
The full signing announcement was released by FIBS.
Photo: Italy catcher Giacomino Lasaracina during a World Baseball Network interview at Team Italy’s 2026 World Baseball Classic preparation camp in Florida.
