Ben DeLuzio

{{Short description|Italian-American baseball player (born 1994)}}

{{Infobox MLB player

|name=Ben DeLuzio

|image=Ben DeLuzio (13790401733) (cropped).jpg

|caption=DeLuzio with Florida State in 2014

|position=Outfielder

|team= Free agent

|number=

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1994|8|9}}

|birth_place= St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 2

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = St. Louis Cardinals

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2022 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .150

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 0

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 0

|teams =

St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Benjamin Amadeo DeLuzio (born August 9, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.

Amateur career

DeLuzio was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Orlando, Florida, where he attended The First Academy and played football and baseball. As a senior in 2013, he hit .424 with 21 RBIs.{{cite web | url=https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/sports/2013/6/7/first_academy_s_ben_ | title=First Academy's Ben Deluzio ready for pro career after being selected by Miami Marlins }} He was selected by the Miami Marlins in the third round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and instead enrolled at Florida State University to play college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/marlins-select-high-schooler-deluzio-with-80th-pick/c-49923788 | title=Marlins select high schooler DeLuzio with 80th pick | website=MLB.com | date=7 June 2013 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2013-06-07-os-hs-baseball-draft-second-day-0608-20130607-story.html | title=Miami Marlins choose first Central Florida high-schooler in baseball draft | date=7 June 2013 }}

DeLuzio was a part of Florida State's starting lineup for all three seasons of his collegiate career. In both 2014 and 2015, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=621982&seasonid=26713 |title=#20 Ben DeLuzio (2014) |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 24, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=737227&seasonid=29031 |title=#20 Ben DeLuzio (2015) |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 24, 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2015/06/26/deluzio-delivers-for-hyannis/34071501007/ | title=DeLuzio delivers for Hyannis }}

Professional career

= Arizona Diamondbacks =

DeLuzio went unselected in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft following his junior season and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an undrafted free agent on July

17, 2016.{{cite web | url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/baseball/2016/07/15/fsus-deluzio-signs-free-agent-contract-diamondbacks/87149838/ | title=FSU's Deluzio signs free-agent contract with Diamondbacks }} He spent his first professional season split between the rookie–level Arizona League Diamondbacks and the Low–A Hillsboro Hops. In 34 games, he slashed .319/.415/.385 with 8 RBI and 14 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Ben DeLuzio - Stats - Batting|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/ben-deluzio/19644/stats?position=OF|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} In 2017, DeLuzio played in 76 games split between the Single–A Kane County Cougars and High–A Visalia Rawhide, batting .330/.373/.416 with 26 RBI and 25 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Ben Deluzio, Chicago Cubs, CF - News, Stats, Bio|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/2915808/ben-deluzio/career-stats/|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He spent the 2018 season with the Double–A Jackson Generals, hitting .262/.336/.354 with 2 home runs, 14 RBI, and 34 stolen bases in 68 games.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals acquire speedy St. Louis native in first round of Rule 5 draft|url=https://www.audacy.com/kmox/local-sports/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-acquire-speedy-st-louis-native-rule-5-draft|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=audacy.com|language=en}}

In 2019, DeLuzio played in 118 games for Jackson and the Triple–A Reno Aces, hitting a cumulative .289/.374/.423 with career–highs in home runs (4) and RBI (43), as well as 18 stolen bases.{{cite web | url=https://www.tahoeonstage.com/extra/sports/speedy-aces-outfielder-ben-deluzio/ | title=Aces' speedy outfielder Ben DeLuzio chasing MLB dream - Tahoe Onstage | Lake Tahoe music concerts and sports | date=August 2, 2019 }} DeLuzio did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} He returned to action in 2021, playing in 68 contests between Reno and the Double–A Amarillo Sod Poodles. In aggregate, he hit .282/.343/.444 with 3 home runs, 25 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Ben DeLuzio Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/5161-ben-deluzio/|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On December 8, 2021, the St. Louis Cardinals selected DeLuzio in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/all-depth-no-drama-cardinals-add-outfielders-and-two-pitchers-with-youthful-upside-in-fanfare/article_33475a8f-e121-54b7-9c09-8cd52b742167.html | title=All depth, no drama: Cardinals add outfielders and two pitchers with youthful upside in fanfare-free Rule 5 draft | date=9 December 2021 }} The Cardinals assigned him to the Triple–A Memphis Redbirds to open the 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-cardinals-announce-2022-opening-day-rosters-for-top-four-minor-lea | title=Cardinals announce 2022 Opening Day rosters for top four Minor League affiliate clubs | website=MLB.com }} In 94 games for Memphis, he batted .278/.353/.429 with new career-highs in home runs (9) and RBI (39), as well as 30 stolen bases.

On September 1, 2022, the Cardinals selected DeLuzio's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-ben-deluzio-getting-call-to-big-leagues/ | title=Cardinals' Ben DeLuzio: Getting call to big leagues | date=September 2022 }} On September 8, DeLuzio collected his first career hit, a single off of Washington Nationals starter Josiah Gray.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/video/ben-deluzio-1st-mlb-hit#:~:text=Ben%20DeLuzio%201st%20MLB%20hit,08%2F2022%20%7C%20MLB.com | title=Ben DeLuzio 1st MLB hit | 09/08/2022 | website=MLB.com }} In 22 games for St. Louis in his rookie campaign, he went 3-for-25 (.150) with three walks. On November 18, DeLuzio was non–tendered by the Cardinals and became a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals non-tender Reyes and DeLuzio, making both free agents|url=https://www.ballysports.com/news/amp/cardinals-non-tender-reyes-and-deluzio-s-contracts-both-hit-free-agency|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=ballysports.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On December 13, 2022, DeLuzio signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web |title=Cubs, Ben DeLuzio Agree To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/cubs-ben-deluzio-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |date=13 December 2022 |language=en-US}} DeLuzio was released by the organization on March 29, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-03-29|title=Transactions|website=MiLB.com}}

On March 30, 2023, DeLuzio signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.{{Cite web|title=Dogders' Ben DeLuzio: Inks minors contract with LAD|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/dodgers-ben-deluzio-inks-minors-contract-with-lad/amp/|access-date=2023-04-01|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 25 games for Oklahoma City, he hit .180/.286/.258 with one home run and 15 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=deluzi000ben|title=Ben DeLuzio Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} DeLuzio was released by the Dodgers organization on May 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/ben-deluzio-641512|title=Ben DeLuzio Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MiLB.com}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On May 23, 2023, DeLuzio signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.{{Cite web|title=Orioles' Ben DeLuzio: Latches on with Baltimore|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-ben-deluzio-latches-on-with-baltimore/|access-date=2023-05-24|website=cbssports.com|date=23 May 2023 |language=en}} In 18 games for Norfolk, DeLuzio hit .203/.266/.339 with two home runs and five RBI. He was released by the Orioles organization on July 11.{{Cite web|title=Ben DeLuzio: Released by Orioles|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/ben-deluzio-released-by-orioles/|access-date=July 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

International career

File:Ben DeLuzio in 2023 WBC.jpg Italy national team at Tokyo Dome on March 16, 2023]]

DeLuzio played for the Italy national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.🖉{{Cite web|url=https://mlbforlife.com/2023/02/28/team-italy-pitchers-in-the-2023-world-baseball-classic/|title=Team Italy Pitchers in the 2023 World Baseball Classic|first=Roberto|last=Angotti|date=February 28, 2023}}