Thyago Vieira’s Blowin’ Smoke
PEORIA, Ariz.—Righthanded reliever Thyago Vieira already made one career breakthrough last season when a successful summer at high Class A Bakersfield produced an unexpected assignment to the Arizona Fall League.
Vieira got the call when the Mariners opted to replace reliever Dan Altavilla on the Peoria roster.
“I felt very confident,” said Vieira, a Brazil native who signed at age 17 in 2010. “I told myself, ‘Don’t try to do too much. Just be you.’ I wanted to show the people who I am.”
The result was a series of outings in which Vieira touched 104 mph, which led to call from general manager Jerry Dipoto.
“I had my flight to Brazil,” said Vieira, 23, “and I was at the airport when the GM called me. He told me, ‘We’re putting you on the 40-man roster.’ I was like, ‘What? Really? That’s amazing.’
“I was so happy. I called my wife and said, ‘Hey, I have good news for us!’ ”
Fast forward to spring training. Vieira stepped to the mound in mid-February for his first official bullpen workout. Nearly all of the Mariners’ top club officials and more than a few players looked on.
“My first reaction is that this should be interesting,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “He’s going to try to throw 100 miles an hour—but he didn’t. I was shocked at how controlled his effort was.”
Vieira’s career path changed last year after work with Bakersfield pitching coach Ethan Katz produced a new-look slider and smoother mechanics. Vieira’s walk rate dropped from 5.0 to 3.9 per nine innings.
“He still needs a lot more minor league innings,” Servais said, “but it’s fun to see.”
The Mariners expect Vieira to start the season at Double-A Arkansas.
It’s no coincidence that Katz will be there, too.
MARINADE
• Even though righthander Andrew Moore was the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2016, he could be heading back to Double-A because the Mariners stockpiled starters with big league experience at Triple-A Tacoma.
• Once outfielder Tyler O’Neill returns from playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, he probably will be reassigned to minor league camp in order to get ready for the Triple-A season. After a dominant season at Double-A last year, O’Neill might not be far away from Seattle.
— Bob Dutton covers the Mariners for the Tacoma News Tribune
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