Reds sign Italian right-hander Anselmi

PITTSBURGH -- The Reds announced the signing of Italian right-handed pitcher Davide Anselmi. The Reds have been following Anselmi's progress since 2007 and recently saw him throw again at the 2013 MLB European Academies Tournament.

Born in 1995, Anselmi is a member of Unipol Bologna organization in the Italian Baseball League, and is also attending the Italian Baseball Academy in Tirrenia. Bill Holmberg, who was the pitching coach for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, is Anselmi's pitching coach, as well.

Anselmi went 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two appearances for Italy a year ago in the XXV IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship. He threw 6 2/3 innings against Australia and Canada, and allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits and two walks, striking out eight.

He has been a regular member of Italian youth teams and was invited to the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia the past two years. Anselmi will report as soon as possible to Goodyear, Ariz., where he will join Slovakian left-hander Jakub Izold, a fellow European Academy participant and new member of the organization.