Prospect's Classic dream looks different -- but no less exciting -- in reality

This story was excerpted from Adam McCalvy's Brewers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHOENIX -- Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer grew up in New Jersey dreaming of wearing the red, white and blue for Team USA. Instead, he’ll get his first dose of international competition in Italy’s Savoy blue.

Fischer’s great-great-grandfather on his mother’s side was born in Italy, which qualifies him to play for that nation in the World Baseball Classic. When the Italians reached out to gauge his interest, they heard an enthusiastic, “sì.”

“For me, it’s a little bit of motivation,” said Fischer, the Brewers’ No. 8-ranked prospect following the 2025 season, according to MLB Pipeline. “It’s been that way every year, going back to 14 years old when you’re dying to even just get invited to a tryout for Team USA. I never got the nod. I always tried to be in the mix, and not even an opportunity. For years and years and years straight, that was a dream of mine.

“Now I get a chance to play against them with a little chip on my shoulder and represent Italy. I love it. I’m someone that when I play, I play with a lot of emotion. It fuels the fire.”

Italy is in Pool B in Houston with Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico and, yes, the United States, with the head-to-head Italy vs. USA matchup scheduled for March 10 on FS1. Italy’s roster is missing one key member from the last WBC in 2023, Sal Frelick, who opted to decline in favor of taking more time to heal from last season’s bumps and bruises. But it does have Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and outfielder Jac Caglianone, Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen, Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone, Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee and White Sox catcher Kyle Teel.

“It’s guys who just want to win,” Fischer said.

Fischer connected with his Italian roots over the winter when his family went on a previously-planned trip to visit the home village of his great-great-grandfather, Angelo Mazzeo. Mazzeo was born in 1889 in Valle dell'Angelo -- “Valley of the Angels” -- about two and a half hours down the southern coast from Naples, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1903 to put down roots in New Jersey.

That’s where Fischer grew up before heading to play three seasons of college ball at Duke, Ole Miss and Tennessee, where he hit 25 homers in 2025 as the Volunteers’ starting first baseman. The Brewers drafted Fischer 20th overall last July, and he moved back to third base, hitting .311/.402/.446 for High-A Wisconsin in a 19-game introduction to professional baseball.

“What I have seen is he is an incredible hitter,” said Mike Guerrero, who is heading back to Double-A Biloxi this season to manage. “His potential offensively is really high. If we can make him an average defender or better, you could have an All-Star for a lot of years.”

Fischer’s goals for this season are more fundamental.

“It’s a really tough question because everyone wants to say, ‘I want to play in the big leagues, I want to win, I want to win a World Series, I want to be an MVP,’” Fischer said. “But what I’m learning from being here is that the best way to go about this process is to just be where your feet are. Try to win the day.

“As cool as it is to try to see what’s next and [listen to] the media, the best way to go about it is to learn from these guys.”

Fischer has been a sponge for information in camp. Aside from the Brewers’ coaches, he said he has learned from 2021 fifth-round Draft pick Ethan Murray, who preceded Fischer at Duke, and his Spring Training roommate Blake Burke, a first baseman who preceded Fischer at Tennessee. Major Leaguers Brandon Lockridge, Tyler Black and especially Frelick -- “an endless pit of knowledge, I love it,” Fischer said with fondness -- have been particularly helpful on days Fischer is called over from Minor League camp to play in Cactus League games.

Even Juan Baez, an infield prospect from the Dominican Republic who speaks little English, has been a source.

“He’s like a magician with his glove,” Fischer said. “I learn a lot from him every day, just watching him.”

He’s taking everyone’s advice. Before Fischer appeared in his first Cactus League game on Feb. 22, he called his good friend and former Duke teammate Roman DiGiacomo.

“The first thing he said was, ‘When you’re walking up to the plate, I just want you to look around and realize how grateful you are to be in the position you’re in,’” Fischer said. “It gave me a sense of gratitude and appreciation. There are people who aren’t in these spots to have a chance to fulfill their dreams.”