Matt Tuiasosopo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #19 prospect in 2010
  When the Mariners signed free agents Eddie Guardado and Raul Ibanez five years ago, they forfeited their top two draft choices in 2004. They generously paid their top pick--Tuiasosopo at No. 93 overall--and his $2.29 million bonus still stands as the third-round record. An amateur quarterback whose father Manu and brother Marques both played in the NFL, Tuiasosopo turned down a football scholarship to Washington. He struggled mightily during his first three full seasons but has made steady improvements the last two years. His slugging percentage has climbed from .343 in Double-A to .460 in Triple-A as he has learned to identify and turn on his pitch. Raw strength never has been an issue. His strikeout rate soared in 2009 as he dealt with a sore right elbow that required surgery to remove a bone spur and knocked him out for two months. When healthy, he has solid plate coverage and above-average bat speed. Tuiasosopo hasn't played shortstop regularly since 2006, but he returned to his middle-infield roots last season, appearing in 27 games at second base between Tacoma and Seattle. A quality defender with a strong arm, he was adequate at second--though he doesn't look the part with his tall, muscled frame--after playing there during spring training over the years. He runs and moves well for his size. Tuiasosopo continues to succeed because of his top-notch competitive makeup. He has two minor league options remaining, so while he's in the mix for big league time at third base, he'll likely head to Triple-A to polish his second-base play and learn the corner outfield.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #15 prospect in 2009
  The Mariners signed Tuiasosopo for a third round-record $2.29 million in 2004, making his decision to pass on a football scholarship at Washington a relatively easy one. His father Manu and brother Marques both played in the NFL. Tuiasosopo flopped in his first three pro seasons before his bat came alive in Double-A in 2007. He continued hitting in the Arizona Fall League that offseason and in Triple-A last year. In 145 second-half at-bats, he hit .303/.380/.538, earning a September callup to Seattle. Tuiasosopo has no outstanding tool, but he has above-average bat speed to go with solid pitch recognition and plate coverage. His confidence grew as he put together better at-bats with Tacoma, and he began to pull the ball more consistently, establishing a career high with 13 home runs. The ball jumps off his bat at times, though his power still is fringy. He runs well for his size. Drafted as a shortstop, Tuiasosopo has developed into a solid third baseman, with soft hands, above-average arm strength and agility. He had a tough year in terms of throwing accuracy, though, as he led Pacific Coast League third basemen with 27 errors. The Mariners love his makeup and work ethic, but with all the young third baseman in the system and Adrian Beltre in Seattle, Tuiasosopo may not have a wide window to establish himself as a regular.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #10 prospect in 2008
  Tuiasosopo was on a football path, like his father Manu and brother Marques (who both played in the NFL), when he accepted a scholarship to play quarterback at Washington. He changed course when the Mariners took him with their top pick in the 2004 draft and signed him for a third round-record $2.29 million bonus. After three years of mostly struggling, Tuiasosopo's bat came alive in Double-A last season and he continued to hit in the Arizona Fall League. The Mariners rave about Tuiasosopo's makeup, noting that he never lost focus despite bombing in his first crack at Double-A in 2006. He got off to a fast start with West Tenn in 2007 and ran with it, showing above-average bat speed and solid pitch recognition and plate coverage. His power is strictly gap to gap now, but he has the strength and athleticism to drive the ball once he learns to identify his pitch. A converted shortstop, Tuiasosopo has the makings of a big league third baseman with soft hands, arm strength and agility. He has good speed for his size. Tuiasosopo still uses an inside-out swing and takes most balls the other way, cutting into his power potential. He started to correct that, turning on inside pitches in the second half and in the AFL. Tuiasosopo's stroke is long and he has a high leg kick that throws his timing off. Even four years into his pro career, Tuiasosopo remains raw because of his football background. He has no standout tool, but if his bat develops as the Mariners expect, he could be a solid big league regular. He'll probably never be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #17 prospect in 2007
  Tuiasosopo's father Manu and brother Marques both have played in the NFL, and Tuiasosopo was on a football path when he accepted a scholarship to play quarterback at Washington. Then the Mariners stepped in, taking him with their top pick in the 2004 draft and signing him for a third-round-record $2.29 million bonus. Tuiasosopo has mostly struggled as a pro. His athleticism and strength are still evident, and it's easy to see his potential, but he hasn't produced much at the plate. He uses an inside-out swing and takes most balls the other way, short-circuiting his power. He hasn't made effective adjustments or adopted a consistent approach. His stroke is long and he has a high leg kick that throws his timing off. His pitch recognition still needs work and he tends to dive into balls, leaving him vulnerable on the inner half. When his bat started to get going in the hitter-friendly California League last year, the Mariners promoted him to Double-A at age 20 and he was overmatched. He has good speed for his size and runs well underway. In his first two years in pro ball, Tuiasosopo played shortstop, where his actions and quickness were short. He moved to third base last June, and has the soft hands, arm strength and agility to be an asset there. The Mariners hope Tuiasosopo will start a Michael Wilson-like turnaround this year in Double-A.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #5 prospect in 2006
  The Mariners didn't have picks in the first two rounds of the 2004 draft, so they swung for the fences with their third-rounder. They took Tuiasosopo and bought him out of a football scholarship to play quarterback at Washington with a $2.29 million bonus. Both his father Manu and brother Marques have played in the NFL. With his bat speed and strength, Tuiasosopo projects as a middle-of-the-order run producer. He handled low Class A well as a teenager. A fine all-around athlete, he has good speed and a strong arm. He also shows soft hands on defense. Though Seattle has kept Tuiasosopo at shortstop so far, scouts don't think he has the actions or quickness to stay there. He'll slow down as he fills out, eventually forcing a move to third base or the outfield. He hasn't reached much of his power potential yet, as he has an inside-out swing and has a ways to go with his pitch recognition. He'll continue to play shortstop in high Class A. Adrian Beltre's contract runs through 2009, buying Tuiasosopo plenty of time to develop.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #5 prospect in 2005
  His father Manu and brother Marques played in the NFL, and Tuiasosopo seemed destined for football as a University of Washington quarterback recruit. The Mariners changed that by giving him a third-round record $2.29 million bonus. He homered in his first pro at-bat and was the top prospect in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Tuiasosopo has the swing and strength to be a middle-of-the-order run producer. Advanced for his age, he forced a promotion to short-season Everett and held his own. The best all-around athlete in the system, he has a strong arm and good speed. Seattle raves about his makeup as much as his tools. Though he made progress with his footwork and release, Tuiasosopo likely won't be able to stay at shortstop because his actions are too long. He'll have to tighten holes in his swing that older Northwest League pitchers were able to exploit. Tuiasosopo should be able to handle an assignment to low Class A Wisconsin, where he'd share shortstop with Oswaldo Navarro and see time at third base. His bat should play anywhere.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #18 prospect in 2005
  Outside of Harvey, Tuiasosopo had more physical presence than any position player in the league. He's a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who was a top University of Washington quarterback recruit until he signed for a third-round record $2.29 million in 2004. Strong and athletic, he plays hard and doesn't just coast on his natural ability. Though he's loaded with power potential, Tuiasosopo hit just six home runs. He has an inside-out swing that leaves him vulnerable on inside pitches, and he'll have to do a better job of getting his bat head out quicker. He also needs to learn to stay back on breaking balls. Tuiasosopo lacks the actions and quickness for shortstop. Given the Mariners' depth at that position throughout their system, he'll probably move to third base in the near future.
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  Ranked Northwest League #5 prospect in 2004
  The Mariners gave their third-round pick first-round money, and Tuiasosopo hit like he deserved it in the Rookie-level Arizona League (.412-4-12 in 20 games). He faced more of a challenge after a promotion to Everett, as older pitchers preyed on his aggressiveness. Still, managers could see hints of his offensive skills. "What a body this kid's got," Spokane manager Darryl Kennedy said. "He's a little raw, but has power and handled himself pretty good. He didn't seem overmatched." A tight pennant race and experienced AquaSox infield limited him to do DH. He played just five games at shortstop but worked on his defense with Everett coach Darrin Garner every day. "He has an impact bat, but he's still a young kid with a great approach," Everett manager Pedro Grifol said. "We wanted him to get some at-bats here and mature while being challenged with the ups and downs. I'm looking for big things out of him next year."
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #1 prospect in 2004
  Tuiasosopo's father Manu and brother Marques both played in the NFL, and he had the potential to do the same. A top quarterback recruit who might have started at Washington as a freshman this fall, Tuiasosopo instead signed with his hometown team for a $2.29 million bonus, a record for a player drafted in the third round. He made a statement in his first professional at-bat, homering off the Giants, and lit up the league before being promoted to the short-season Northwest League. "He overmatched this league," A's manager Ruben Escalera said. "He's got the whole package, all five tools." Not only is Tuiasosopo talented, but he's also a poised, driven player with sound instincts. He already has a mature, powerful swing with solid plate discipline and the Mariners weren't afraid to challenge him with a promotion after just 20 games. Even his older teammates were impressed with his ability. Like many young shortstops Tuiasosopo is error prone, and he committed eight in 15 games. He tends to get under the ball on throws too often, like a quarterback would, and the ball often takes off on him. It's a fixable problem and the Mariners have no immediate plans to move him elsewhere. "He could play third base, shortstop, second base or the outfield, but you don't want to give up on him yet as a shortstop," Brewers manager Mike Guerrero said. "But he needs a lot of work on defense. His mechanics and footwork aren't very good at this point."

• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  The Mariners signed Tuiasosopo for a third round-record $2.29 million in 2004, making his decision to pass on a football scholarship at Washington a relatively easy one. His father Manu and brother Marques both played in the NFL. Tuiasosopo flopped in his first three pro seasons before his bat came alive in Double-A in 2007. He continued hitting in the Arizona Fall League that offseason and in Triple-A last year. In 145 second-half at-bats, he hit .303/.380/.538, earning a September callup to Seattle. Tuiasosopo has no outstanding tool, but he has above-average bat speed to go with solid pitch recognition and plate coverage. His confidence grew as he put together better at-bats with Tacoma, and he began to pull the ball more consistently, establishing a career high with 13 home runs. The ball jumps off his bat at times, though his power still is fringy. He runs well for his size. Drafted as a shortstop, Tuiasosopo has developed into a solid third baseman, with soft hands, above-average arm strength and agility. He had a tough year in terms of throwing accuracy, though, as he led Pacific Coast League third basemen with 27 errors. The Mariners love his makeup and work ethic, but with all the young third baseman in the system and Adrian Beltre in Seattle, Tuiasosopo may not have a wide window to establish himself as a regular.