DETROIT – Matt Tuiasosopo could have been the quarterback at the University of Washington and followed his father and brother to the NFL. He was good enough to play with the best of the best in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where his running back was Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson and the opposing quarterback was former University of Michigan star and current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne.
Detroit Tigers fans never would’ve enjoyed his long-shot success story had he chosen the gridiron route. And Tuiasosopo said he would’ve done that had his hometown Seattle Mariners not drafted him in the third round in 2004 and given him a huge $2.23 million signing bonus.
“If Seattle didn’t pick me,” Tuiasosopo said, “I would have gone to college. I told teams that it would take a first-round type of deal.”
Considering that Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the second overall pick in the first round of that same 2004 draft, received a $3.12 million bonus, the Mariners definitely ante-ed up to sign Tuiasosopo.
They did not get much on their return, however.
Tuiasosopo, in three cups of coffee with the Mariners between 2008 and 2010, batted .176 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 193 at-bats.
In three and a half months with the Tigers, Tuiasosopo is hitting .329 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 85 at-bats while platooning in left field with left-handed hitting Andy Dirks.
His batting average, slugging percentage (.624) and on-base percentage (.447) are second on the club to only Miguel Cabrera, the reigning American League MVP and Triple Crown winner.
“I know what my role is here and that is so important,” said Tuiasosopo. “In Seattle, I did not have a role. Here, they want me to come in and hit the lefties.”
Project his production over 500 at-bats, and you get 41 doubles, 35 homers and 129 RBIs.
But his career turnaround goes much deeper than simply knowing his role. It’s grounded in his faith in God, which got him through 2011 and 2012 seasons spent entirely in the minors, and a hitting conversion that took place this winter.
Tuiasosopo, 27, was connected to Denver-area hitting coach Mike Bard, the brother of former Seattle teammate and pitcher Josh Bard, through former Mariners organization teammates Dustin Ackley and Michael Saunders. He took several week-long trips to work with Mike Bard at Bardo’s Diamond Sports in Parker, Colo., and it made all the difference in his stroke and approach.
“I trust my swing now,” Tuiasosopo said. “I know it’s going to work. It started this winter with Mike Bard. My swing was very steep in the zone.”
Tuiasosopo picked up a bat from his locker and demonstrated his former swing by chopping downward.
“I had to work on getting into the hitting zone and staying there longer,” he continued. “A lot of it was mechanics, and a lot of it was mental.
“I was there 10 hours one day. He’d film my swing, and used cameras and computers to dissect my swing and break down angles. I was losing power by disconnecting from my trunk. I was just using my hands and not my whole body in my swing. I wasn’t using my trunk or legs. Now, I’m on the plane for the pitch earlier. That gives me more margin for error.”
Tuiasosopo had not been in the majors since 2010, but sent a letter to “the majority of general managers” with hopes of finding the right team and an invite to spring training on a minor league contract. Tigers president and general manager David Dombrowski received one of those emails and got the ball rolling on signing him. Assistant general manager Al Avila handles minor league free agents and contacted Tuiasosopo.
“Other teams offered more of an opportunity for making their (major league) roster,” Tuiasosopo said. “But I watched these guys play in the World Series. I wanted to win, and I wanted to win playing with these guys. I knew they were looking for a right-handed bat, and I believed I could be that.”
At the All-Star break, Tuiasosopo had as many RBIs (11) against right-handed pitchers in just 28 at-bats as he does in 57 at-bats versus left-handers. And while he’s eating up lefties with a .357 average and four homers, he’s at .316 with two homers off righties. He’s started only four games against righties, but more could be coming in the second half.
During the last week before the break, Tuiasosopo hit three homers in five at-bats off Scott Kazmir, Jose Quintana and Chris Sale. He’s doing remarkable things.
“It’s been a blessing to come here,” Tuiasosopo said, “and it was so special to do that and help the team put runs on the board.”
Tuiasosopo was raised in a Christian home, the son of former NFL defensive Manu Tuiasosopo, and the fourth of five children. Old brother Marques did play for Washington before going onto play for the Oakland Raiders.
“The biggest thing for me is my faith,” said Tuiasosopo. “It drives me every day and gives me peace. I’m able to be at peace and be free. He’s given me the strength and the ability to do this. And that’s who I point to (after reaching home plate after homers). He’s gifted me.”
The last two years have been special for Tuiasosopo, who recently celebrated his second anniversary with wife Abi. They have a six-month-old son, Josiah.
“I got married and had a baby,” Tuiasosopo said. “And my relationship with Jesus just became more real. I had played with fear and pressure before. I put a lot of pressure on myself before, but now I just try to be free out there and enjoy every moment. God was strengthening me the last two years.
“There’s always a bigger story at work.”
