By Jon Sargalis
Pictured: John Valente and Joe LaSorsa playing for the Mohawks in 2017
Three Mohawks will be competing in the World Baseball classic this March. Third basemen John Valente and pitcher Joe LaSorsa, who were teammates in 2017 and teammates at St. John's are on the roster for Team Italy. Jack Seppings from Brown, who will pitch for the Mohawks this summer is on the roster for Great Britain.
In the summer of 2017, John Valente broke the Mohawks single season hits record with 62 as he batted .422 with 16 extra base hits, 26 RBI, 37 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. In 2018 the Detroit Tigers drafted John in the 21st round and he soared through the Tigers system as a second basemen. Playing in just 48 games after signing, Valente was promoted from the Rookie level to Single-A, to Advanced-A all in the same season and ended the year with a .349 average between the 3 teams. In 2019 Valente bounced between Single-A and Advanced-A with a couple rehab assignments in-between, but he still managed to bat .301 in 80 games. The 2020 season was canceled due to Covid, and when the 2021 season commenced, John found himself in Double-A where he again hit .301 on the season. In 2022 the Tigers moved Valente up to Triple-A where he hit .293 and he now sits at the cusp of the Major League roster as he might become the next Mohawk to make his big-league debut.
Joe LaSorsa made 8 starts for the Mohawks in 2017. He went 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 43 innings. The Tampa Bay Rays selected LaSorsa in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He has steadily progressed through the Rays system and was promoted to Double-A this past year. In 2022, LaSorsa went 7-3 with 8 saves. He held opposing batters to a .192 average and recorded 87 strikeouts to just 10 walks in 73.1 innings pitched. In 3 minor league seasons, Joe has a 14-9 record with 17 saves, a 2.81 ERA, 186 strikeouts and held batters to a .209 average.
Team Italy, which will be managed by Mets legend and Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza will be in competing in Pool A against Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Cuba and Panama in Taichung, Taiwan.
Jack Seppings is currently a sophomore at Brown University. He will take a leave from school to represent Great Britain on the world stage in March and then suit up for the Mohawks in June. Jack holds duel citizenship between the US and Great Britain and previously competed for Great Britain on their U18 National Team playing in Italy and Switzerland. During his freshmen season, Steppings went 0-1 with 2 saves and recorded 23 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched.
Great Britain will be playing in Pool C competing against the USA, Mexico, Colombia and Canada in Phoenix, Arizona.
View more on the World Baseball Classic HERE