Can Matt Tuiasosopo make AAA this season as third baseman?
The article begins with a recent game against the Cubs and a big situation that didn't have teh storybook ending. Then, it goes to this from the M's manager.
"I love Tui," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "He has a really high ceiling. He's got a chance to be an outstanding player."
Tuiasosopo, a former three-sport standout from Woodinville, has advanced through the Mariners' farm system every year since being drafted in the third round in June 2004. He was in Everett that summer, moved to Class A long-season Wisconsin in 2005, Class A Inland Empire and AA San Antonio in 2006 and AA West Tennessee for all of last season.
He struggled at San Antonio, hitting only .185 after a .306 average at Inland Empire. But the Mariners decided to start him at the AA level again in 2007.
"There was a little bit of concern because he hadn't hit at Double-A that it would hurt his confidence," Greg Hunter, the M's director of player development, said. "But we knew that he comes from a good family. He's a good athlete. He has a good makeup. And we thought he would persevere through it, which he did."
If you are going to spring training and see Tuiasosopo in big league camp, you will notice the number he is wearing isn't your normal third baseman number.
Tuiasosopo wears No. 78 on his uniform, not a typical major-league number but certainly one with significance. It was his father Manu's number as a defensive lineman with the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Tuiasosopo doesn't know for sure why he got that number, but clubhouse manager Ted Walsh used to be an attendant for the 49ers when Manu played there.
"I'm sure that had something to do with it," Tuiasosopo said.
I'm sure, too.
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