Pasquantino has become a WBC legend already.
Team Italy wrapped up a perfect 4-0 run through Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night, beating Mexico 9-1 at Daikin Park in Houston to claim the top seed heading into the quarterfinals.
It was a dominant showing from start to finish, and after the final out, shortstop Sam Antonacci didn't hesitate when asked who had been the most valuable player on the roster so far.
Antonacci Gives Pasquantino His Flowers
"I would say Vinnie and his leadership," Antonacci said after the win.
"Some of us have had some big swings between the three games and just the time that we've spent together, I would say Vinnie is the MVP."
But Antonacci wasn't just talking about what Pasquantino does at the plate, because the Kansas City Royals first baseman has been the glue holding together a roster full of young prospects and lesser-known big leaguers.
"He's made us all feel comfortable and he's the reason that we're so tight," Antonacci said.
"And anything you throw over there at first base is getting picked. He's played an awesome first base. He's a great leader. And I think he's our MVP so far."
Antonacci, a Chicago White Sox prospect who homered against Team USA in the upset win on Tuesday, has seen up close how Pasquantino has pulled this group together over the past week and a half.
Pasquantino's Breakout Against Mexico
The timing of Antonacci's praise couldn't have been better, because Pasquantino backed it up with a historic night against Mexico.
The 28-year-old slugger entered Wednesday's game 0-for-12 in the tournament and hadn't found his swing through the first three games.
That all changed in a hurry.
Pasquantino launched a solo homer to right field off Javier Assad in the second inning to open the scoring, and that first swing seemed to flip a switch.
He went deep again leading off the sixth against Daniel Duarte, then capped off the night with a third solo shot off Robert Garcia in the eighth to become the first player in WBC history to hit three home runs in a single game.
He finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, and his teammates lined up to give him the celebratory espresso treatment he had been dishing out to other home run hitters all tournament.
The Heart and Soul of the Azzurri
Pasquantino was named team captain ahead of the 2026 WBC after representing Italy in the 2023 tournament as well.
Manager Francisco Cervelli built this year's team around him, and the decision has paid off in a big way.
Coming off a 2025 season where he slashed .264/.323/.475 with 32 home runs and 113 RBI for the Royals, Pasquantino brought that same energy and production to the international stage.
His leadership style has stood out just as much as his bat, serving espresso shots and kissing teammates on the cheeks after home runs, becoming one of the best storylines of the entire tournament.
Italy (4-0) will now face Puerto Rico (3-1) in the WBC quarterfinals on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET back at Daikin Park in Houston, and they'll do it with Pasquantino leading the charge.
If the first four games are any sign of what's to come, this Italian squad isn't done making history just yet.