Mariners trade pitching prospect Thyago Vieira to White Sox for international bonus pool money

On Thursday the Seattle Mariners traded right-handed pitcher Thyago Vieira to the Chicago White Sox for an undisclosed amount of international bonus pool money.

Here’s a quick take on the newest member of the Chicago system.

Thyago Vieira, RHP: The Mariners signed Vieira out of Brazil in 2010 for $65,000. He struggled on reaching full-season ball in 2014, with ERAs well over 5.00 in the Midwest League in ‘14 and ‘15 with poor peripherals to match. He turned around in ‘16, posting a 2.84 ERA with a 53/18 K/BB in 44 innings in the California League, then followed up with a 4.00 ERA in 54 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A with a 46/22 K/BB.

Vieira pitched in one game this year for the Mariners on August 14th, throwing a scoreless inning against the Baltimore Orioles.

Listed at 6-2, 210, Vieira is a right-handed hitter and thrower born July 1, 1993. He looks a little thick in the lower half and there’s some effort in his delivery. He throws extremely hard, hitting 99-100 consistently, with reports as high as 102-103, even 104. He made good progress with fastball command over the last two seasons but his secondary pitches remain erratic.

His breaking ball is described as either a power curve and a slider depending on who is doing the describing and he’ll also use a change-up with dropping/splitter action. Both secondaries are mediocre at best (J.J. Cooper at Baseball America gives his secondary arsenal a 40-grade) but could improve in time.

Right now he profiles as a hard-throwing short and middle reliever who might close eventually if his secondaries develop further.