Samuel Tuivailala, SS
6′ 3″ 195lbs 10/19/1992
Aragon HS, California
AZ’s snap take: The Cardinals found someone pretty obscure for the third round. On the tall side for your traditional shortstop.
MLB.com Draft Tracker: Video
Baseball America: 77th overall prospect out of Califonia
Sam Tuivailala attended a small showcase in Sacramento last summer and started a lot of buzz when he hit 93 mph on the gun. He also showed bat speed and strength as a position player and is being considered by some scouts as a third baseman. At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, Tuivailala has good size and strength and a projectable frame. He has long arms and legs and has athletic agility. His secondary stuff is evolving. His curveball is a tweener pitch that should be a slider from his three-quarters slot, and he lacks a third pitch. He sits in the 88-89 mph range, with movement. He lacks a lot of mound time and an organization that is strong in pitching development will value him most. Tuivailala joins Judge in Fresno State’s recruiting class.
ESPN: N/A
Was signed by Fresno State (h/t Austin). Frenso State’s head coach on Tuivailala:
Another talented three-sport athlete, Sam played shortstop and served as the closer for his high school team. He’s run a 6.8 60 yd dash, thrown in the low 90′s and demonstrated power potential at the plate. We’re going to give him the opportunity to do both for us and see where it goes. He entered his senior year at 16 years old so we are excited to see how he develops physically as he concentrates on baseball for the next four years.
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BJRains found an article calling him the “ace” of his HS team as well, describing an all or nothing game to get into the playoffs where he went 9 innings and had a few hits in a game that went something like 10 or 11 innnings overall (he went to the field after pitching). HS baseball is completely different, pitchers aren’t always horrible hitters so it is always confusing to me.
I like it considering. Seems to have a good swing and the power could show up.
He is a beast at everything! i played HS basketball with him, he was a stud at every sport! baseball is def. his best though
If a HS MI, why not Garin Cecchini?
So he will def be a position player for us?
Kid is a stud. Period. One of the most athletic kids I have ever seen play. Has a sweet stroke and will definitely hit for power. He is only 17 so he doesnt even have man strength yet. I think he will be an outfielder when all is said and done.
I played in Little League with him. Cool to see him drafted. Timothy- I think I went to middle school with you…lol
@Mike:
Yeah, it’s that “17 years old” that is really jumping out at me. He’s basically a junior in high school.
Cecchini wanted 1.75 mil, worth it for sure but I guess we weren’t willing to pay it. Boston will pay it and he won’t set foot on the diamond at LSU.
@Andrew: I don’t get this pick at all. He seems to be more of a pitcher than a SS although he is still quite young. I really hope they think they can sign Austin because they could of had Cecchini here.
I agree I wanted Cecchini badly also. I think he’s going to be a better Major Leaguer than Cox will. Regarding the 17 year old we drafted in the 3rd. Dont’ know anything about him but he’s young nough that he can stick at SS for awhile and if he can’t cut it still has alot of time to develop as a pitcher.
thats why there are scouts..and i will give the Cards and Lunhow a chance on a guy like this. I just hope he is able to stick and progress in a good way.I just hope he doesnt get stuck in Low Ball like many others
Sam is a phenomenal athlete who has natural gifts (size, speed, and strength). He is hard working, competitive, and humble. He’s also very grounded and mature for his age and with the right direction and guidance, will be an asset for any team willing to invest the time and energy in him. Baseball has been his love and passion since he was a kid and the Cardinals organization found themselves a winner. Great job!
He hit a bomb off me this year lol
I go to school with him at aragon, and have known him for over 10 years, he has an amazing arm that could strike out bonds, a. rod, etc.
We are all really proud of him (on behalf of Aragon)
@mikey1012u: Thanks for the testimonials from guys who know Sam. He sounds extremely athletic, a fine person, and a great selection. The Cards like to get their choices signed, too bad for Fresno State.
@tackle box: if you saw this guy throughtout his life, you would know he is no joke. i barely knew anyones name from little league, but him and about 3 other guys are the only ones ill ever remember. i really didnt pay much attention to the team ( i go to aragon) but after seeing him just once, then finding out it was him, i wasnt suprised at all. you hear all the time about people saying “i just knew that guy would be big, he was always the best as a kid”.. and until you’ve experienced it with someone you know, it dosent seem like a big deal. now that i found this out (him being drafted), it’s a great experience.. seeing someone you always though would be big, even just after little league, making it big
Anyone who knows him do you know if he had a college commitment and if it’s a strong one? He seems like he’s an upside talent in the draft that LaRussa has been asking for.
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=133204&title=Cards
Did some research……kid will be signing with us shortly. We are also paying for his college if he ever wants to go back. Glad the club has this in players contracts and hope we do the same with Wilson.
Andrew that article says he will be getting a $300,000 signing bonus. Seems low no?
@Mike: Draft slot for 3rd Rd pick 106 would be roughly $300K. So that is slot money.
so sick, i played little league with this guy at trinta park in san mateo, ca. funny how he was a cardinal back then too. we knew each other pretty well. i dont think he is going to stop at college, he’s been training for this his whole life i think he will go to the show right away well at least the farm system for a while. haha, at least i can say i got a double off a big leaguer before.
he is an incredible person inside and out AND his natural talent and drive has brought him success. love’em!
Amazing..I played against him back in San Mateo Little League American. He was definitely a kid to be feared. I’m not surprised he’s made it this far, props to his dedication
I think he is a great ball player and athlete. He has been so successful with his accomplishments and he deserved every bit of it. Im so proud of him. Love him.
[...] in the face… or had it broken (Ang – been there). Round 3 (106 overall) – Samuel Tuivailala What we know: He’s a shortstop out of California who was also the ace of his high school [...]
my dad coached him in highschool football. He was hella good and i guess he was even better at baseball