Sam Tuivailala

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #23 prospect in 2017
  When the Cardinals returned Tuivailala to Triple-A in 2016 and a late-inning role for the highest affiliate, they did so with a clear assignment: Master the cutter. Manager Mike Matheny was one of the loudest advocates of the pitch, which he believed would turn Tuivailala into a power arm that could be counted on for the seventh inning, or later. The pitch was relatively new for Tuivailala, who was only in his fourth season as a pitcher. Back in 2011, as an infielder, Tuivailala homered and his coaches already knew what awaited him later that day. A team official had come to Johnson City to tell Tuivailala he was moving to the mound. With little idea how to actually deliver a pitch, Tuivailala threw a bullpen--and touched high-90s mph. That power has been good enough to get him to the majors, but he'll need more to stick there. The intriguing cutter works at 87 mph, a needed tick down from his 97 mph heater. He has toyed with a power curve and a loopier curve, but lefthanded hitters at Triple-A torched him for a .939 OPS. Quality strikes is what he must get with the fastball and either secondary if he's to seize anything more than a recurring cameo in St. Louis.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #11 prospect in 2016
  The Cardinals rewarded Tuivailala with a September callup in 2014 as a reward for his successful transformation from a third baseman to a pitcher, and he reached the majors in just his third season on the mound. The Southern California prep product, who is of Polynesian ethnicity, earned his callup in different fashion in 2015--he was among the first relievers at Triple-A Memphis on call to St. Louis. Tuivailala earned promotions in May and July, though he couldn't quite stick, and was called up again in September. Physical and athletic, Tuivailala always has stood out for his size and velocity, averaging 97 mph with his heater and brushing 100 with late sinking life at his best. He has thrown a curveball and changeup as his secondary pitches in the past, throwing the curveball with power, and he incorporated a hard cutter in 2015, giving him a pitch other than his fastball that could find the strike zone. Tuivailala still doesn't throw enough quality strikes to challenge for high-leverage innings in St. Louis, but as soon as he does, he has a closer's repertoire. He'll enter 2016 camp with a strong chance to earn an Opening Day spot in the St. Louis bullpen.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2015
  Cardinals officials had already made the decision to move Tuivailala to the mound before he hit a home run in his final game as a position player in 2012. Carried by a double-plus fastball, he sped through four levels in 2014, reaching the majors in September. With the frame of a power forward, Tuivailala is the Cardinals' latest converted power pitcher after Jason Motte and Trevor Rosenthal. He has a fastball that can touch 100 mph, and he works consistently at 98. Fine command is all he lacks with the heat. In the Arizona Fall League, Tuivailala's curve advanced. It's a 12-to-6 breaking ball that he throws hard and with a sharp drop. He also sports a changeup that he can throw when needed, giving him an offspeed entry between his two best pitches. Tuivailala once referred to pitching as his "Plan B," and in less than two years he's gone swifter and higher than his Plan A was likely to take him. If he opens the season at Triple-A Memphis as a closer, it won't be long before he's called to contribute in the majors.