Historic Signing for the Mets
NEW YORK — For two years, Mets scout Rosario Chiovaro observed Matteo Marelli at Major League Baseball’s European Development Tournament (EDT) in London. At that point, Marelli was still an unrefined teenage pitcher, not yet an MLB prospect.
However, with their increased investment in international scouting, the Mets now have more resources dedicated to identifying talent. Three months ago, Chiovaro attended the EDT in Barcelona, where he saw Marelli’s fastball speed rise from the mid-80s to as much as 94 mph, coupled with a promising changeup. This prompted Chiovaro to contact Marelli’s father, who also serves as his agent.
Now, just two months later, the 19-year-old Marelli is poised to become the first European amateur to sign with the Mets. The official agreement will be made at a small ceremony scheduled for Saturday in Rovigo, Italy.
“What I’m most proud of is that the Mets are expanding their global reach,” Chiovaro said. “I want the Mets to become a global brand.”
Unlike many top European athletes, Marelli never showed much interest in local sports such as soccer, basketball, or hockey. The son of a ski instructor, he was drawn to baseball, focusing on pitching. Over time, the right-handed pitcher developed five distinct pitches, including a changeup he mastered by watching social media tutorials.
“You can easily identify someone who stands out from other players,” remarked Francisco Cervelli, a former Major League catcher and the head coach of Italy’s national teams, including Marelli’s U-23 squad. “You can see a promising future for him. His training intensity will yield rapid improvement.”
While scouting European players poses unique challenges due to shorter seasons and fewer high-level competitions, Marelli’s talent shines through. Though he obtained a scholarship to Arizona Western College, Mets officials believe he has the potential to transition directly into professional baseball. Earlier this month, he joined the Mets in the Dominican Republic, showcasing his ability to converse in Spanish and demonstrating a strong command of English.
Once he officially joins the Mets, Marelli will kick off his professional career in the Dominican Summer League, adapting to both cultural and climatic challenges. If successful, he aims to advance to full-season ball in Florida, with aspirations of eventually making it to Queens.
