Just before the start of the 2020 Serie A1 season, Fortitudo Bologna has signed Aruban shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder who will replace Nico Giarratano who hung up his spikes for personal reasons.
After spending seven years in the Braves’ minor league system, Didder became a free agent at the end of the 2019 season. He signed a one year deal with the San Diego Padres who sent him to AA Amarillo Sod Poodles. But Ray-Patrick was released late May.
In seven seasons in the minors, Ray-Patrick batted .243. His best season was in 2016 when he played with the Rome Braves as he hit .274 with an OBP of .387 and a slugging percentage of .381.
With Didder Bologna gets a player that can practically play every position. Next to his natural position of shortstop, he has played third base, second base, center field and right field.
Where many clubs won’t go after prized foreign players as they cannot be demoted, it is 
clear that Fortitudo Bologna is going for the main price this season, the Italian championship.
