Pugliese spent four seasons in the LA Angels farm system between 2008 and 2011, reaching double A level. After being released in 2011, he spent the remainder of the season playing for UGF Fortitudo Bologna in the Italian Baseball League. He returned back to Bologna in 2012 and 2013 before joining the Canberra Cavalry for the 2013-14 ABL season.
Pugliese had the distinction of playing in the 2013 Asia Cup as many of his Cavalry team mates did ... except that he was playing for Italian champions Bologna, and not the Cavalry. Pugliese also played for the Italian national team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, although American born, he qualified by his Italian heritage.
Pugliese performed well as a middle reliever but left the Cavalry just before the 2013-14 ABL finals to take up a role as athletics director in the higher education system in Deltona, Florida.
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| 2013-14 Canberra Cavalry Nick Pugliese card front - © 2013 Adam East |
