NECBL Alum Called Up to the Majors
Published on May 22, 2013 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) News Release
The Minnesota Twins recalled 1B Chris Colabello, a standout for the 2004 Mill City All-Americans, from Triple-A Rochester today. It completes one of the most amazing Cinderella stories in baseball.
A native of Framingham, MA who attended Division II Assumption College, Colabello hit .345 with eight homers and 33 RBI as a First Team All-NECBL first baseman for the All-Americans. Colabello ranked in the top eight in the three NECBL Triple Crown categories. One of his teammates that summer was current Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey.
Despite the gaudy production, Colabello was never drafted. Instead, he spent seven seasons toiling in the Independent Can-Am League, winning the League's MVP in 2011.
Minnesota signed him from the Can-Am's Worcester Tornados in the 2011 offseason and Colabello, 29, rewarded the Twins with an All-Star season for Double-A New Britain. He twice won the International League Player of the Week award in the 2013 season and was hitting .358 with 12 homers and 39 RBI in 46 Triple-A games.
Colabello, who speaks fluent Italian, also got notice early this year by representing an upstart Italy squad in the World Baseball Classic. The Azzuri surprised baseball pundits by advancing out of their pool play.
With the promotion, Colabello becomes the 33rd NECBL alumnus to reach the Major Leagues this season and the 91st to play in the Big Leagues.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 22, 2013
- Westerns Sign Two Players from Southern New Hampshire - Danbury Westerners
- NECBL Alum Called Up to the Majors - NECBL
- Gulls Seek Host Families For Athletes - Newport Gulls
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