Shortly after Team Canada wrapped up its tournament-opening win over Colombia in Puerto Rico on Saturday, another Canadian-born talent was putting on a show for Team Italy in Houston.

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Dante Nori provided a massive spark at the bottom of the order, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, a walk and two runs scored in Italy’s 8-0 win over Brazil at the World Baseball Classic.

Nori was born in Toronto while his father, Micah, served as an assistant coach with the Raptors, and he spent plenty of time around the team growing up — an experience that perhaps helped shape Saturday’s breakout on the international stage.

The game started out promising enough for Nori, as he worked a six-pitch walk in his first trip to the plate in the third inning. Then in the fifth, he lashed a two-out double down the right-field line, using his speed to hustle into scoring position.

But it was Nori’s next two at-bats that will surely have Italy’s upcoming opponents circling his name on their scouting reports.

In the seventh inning, the 21-year-old got hold of a 3-2 slider at the top of the zone, launching the offering from Murilo Gouvea 420 feet into the right-field bleachers. Nori didn’t need very long before leaving the yard again, as in the very next inning, he deposited a Caie De Araujo curveball 395 feet into the bullpen, earning a second swig from Italy’s famous espresso machine.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Nori told reporters post-game. “Before the game, the nerves are going crazy. You know, the home run, blackout, I don’t remember either one, to be honest, kind of just blacked out right around the bases. No, it’s something special. And just the feeling is unbelievable.”

Athletic pedigree runs in the Nori family, as Micah, who is currently the lead assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves, isn’t the only notable coach to influence Dante’s career.

Fred Nori, Dante’s grandfather, was a longtime baseball coach at Indiana University and someone the youngest Nori cited as a reason he chose to represent Italy in the tournament.

“Both my parents’ parents. Fred Nori, especially. That’s my dad’s dad. And Mike Magnone on my mom’s side, especially those,” Dante Nori said when asked why it was special to wear the Italia uniform. “I got the call, and it was one of those things that’s really special to you. You get emotional even talking about it. In fact, when I got to tell him, they all cried. (So it’s) something really special to me.”

Saturday’s power surge was an unexpected surprise for Italy, as the five-foot-nine Nori socked just four dingers in 125 games last season in the minor-leagues.

Although he was born in Toronto, Nori spent most of his childhood in Michigan, where he flourished on the diamond and became one of the top high-school hitters in the 2024 draft.

The Phillies tabbed him with the 27th-overall pick in the first round, betting that his speed and bat-to-ball ability would help him find success in the pro ranks.

Nori delivered on that bet in 2025, slashing .261/.361/.372 in a season that saw him climb three levels of the minors and land in double-A. In addition to his four homers, Nori legged out 18 doubles, 12 triples and stole 52 bases in what was his first full season of affiliated ball.

Nori’s year didn’t end there, however, as he travelled to the Arizona Fall League, carrying an .822 OPS in 12 games.

The strong campaign helped Nori climb prospect rankings, landing as the No. 7 Phillies prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

If he can continue to help Italy pick up wins at the WBC, Nori may have a chance to climb even higher in the rankings before the tournament ends.