He's a world away from home, but Samuel Aldegheri feels right at home on the mound this season. And he knows exactly where he wants to go from here. One of the standout performers in the Philadelphia Phillies organization this year, pitching for the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Aldegheri has come a long way since first taking up the sport as a five-year-old in his native Verona, Italy, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Mattia.

The desire to play baseball took hold early, but when did he think he had a chance to play professionally? "It has always been my goal," Aldegheri said. "I remember telling my parents and my brother when I was a kid that I was going to play professional baseball."