Tyler

Viza

Viza latched on overseas after being released by the Twins in late July. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a strong 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 29/10 K/BB ratio across 32 1/3 innings (five starts) last season for the CTBC Brothers. He spent the prior nine seasons in the minors between the Phillies, Padres and Twins.

Viza signed a minor league contract with the Twins back in laqte March. The 27-year-old righty has been cut loose after recording a 3.96 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 50/13 K/BB ratio across 38 1/3 innings (23 appearances) this season between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul.

Viza split the 2021 campaign between Double-A San Antonio in the Padres’ minor-league system and the Kane County Cougars of the independent American Association. The 27-year-old righty will provide the Twins with some additional minor-league pitching depth this season.

Viza scattered two hits and a pair of walks while finishing with five strikeouts. 64 of the right-hander’s 92 pitches went for strikes. The 21-year-old is now 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in nine starts for the Fightin Phils with 38 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings of work. Viza began the year in High-A Clearwater but was called up after going 6-2 with a 2.54 ERA and a 55/8 K/BB over his first nine starts.

He walked one and struck out three in his longest start of 2016. Hitters have made solid contact off Viza this year (.250 in 140 at-bats) but he’s still managed to win five of six starts with a 1.77 ERA. That’s good for the sixth-lowest ERA in the Florida State League this year. Viza endured a miserable 2014 season with Low-A Lakewood (3-17, 5.29 ERA) but improved on that campaign by posting a respectable 3.38 ERA over 143 2/3 innings for Lakewood last season.