[caption id="attachment_134" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-134" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NodmY-XJ_400x400-300x300.jpg" alt="photo credit - Thyago Vieira Twitter account" width="300" height="300" /> photo credit - Thyago Vieira Twitter account[/caption]

Long time, no blog! Yes, it's been since the World Series that I've thrown down more than a tweet on the state of Brazilian baseball. But hope springs eternal, and after everything that the world has been through in the last few months, it's about time that big league baseball is back. The even better news is that more and more Brazilians are involved in it!

Let's start in the MLB camps, where <strong>Yan Gomes</strong> is back for the Cleveland Indians and likely going into 2017 platooning behind the plate w/ Carlos Perez. It'd be great to see Yan regain his hitting prowess from a couple years back. Over in the Kansas City camp, <strong>Paulo Orlando</strong> looks to be firmly entrenched as the number 4 outfielder for the Royals. He already has 1 home run and 2 RBIs in Spring Training.

RHP <strong>Andre Rienzo</strong> was invited to Padres camp as a non-roster invitee. Seeing as how the Padres are in the middle of a monumental (see endless) rebuilding mode, their bullpen looks to be wide open and that's where Rienzo could most likely catch on.  SS- 3rd baseman <strong>Leonardo Reginatto</strong> is also in a big league camp as a NRI with the Twins. Perhaps the most eye catching Brazilian in spring training this year is RHP <strong>Thyago Vieira</strong>, who's been hitting the gun at 104MPH. Vieira is the 21st top ranked prospect in the Seattle organization and  is on the Mariners 40 man roster Vieira has been <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/reliever-thyago-vieira-impresses-his-mariners-teammates-in-a-live-batting-practice-session/" target="_blank">dazzling people on social media with this his serious cheeze</a>.

LHP <strong>Luiz Gohara</strong>, now with the Atlanta Braves, was recently ranked no. 77 on<a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/2017/1/24/14369456/luiz-gohara-keith-law-prospect-list-atlanta-braves" target="_blank"> Keith Law's Top 100 prospects</a>.  Since Gohara hasn't pitched any higher than Single A so far in his career, he's currently in Atlanta's minor league Spring Training camp. However, given the bizarre mix of old castoffs and young unproven talent on the Braves  rebuilding big league roster going in to 2017, you never know if Gohara could get a look in the Show if he's pitching well during the season.

One of the most interesting stories is 16 year old <strong>Eric Pardinho</strong>, who pitched in last year's WBC qualifier games for Team Brazil as well as in a number of recent international U-16 tournaments and showcases in the U.S. and Brazil. Pardinho is unsigned but highly sought after by MLB teams. The question is whether he'll be able to command more than the record contract of $880K signed by Gohara a few years ago. MLB international signing caps were different back then as well.

Other Brazilians to keep an eye on in the U.S. minor leagues in 2017 include:

<strong>Bo Takahashi</strong> - Pitcher - Single A - AZ

<strong>Gabriel Maciel</strong> - OF - Rookie - AZ

<strong>Luis Paz</strong> - C - Rookie - LAD

<strong>Daniel Missaki</strong> - Pitcher - Single - MIL

Journeyman pitcher <strong>Tiago da Silva</strong> pitched this past winter for the Aguilas de Zulia in the Venezuelan league, helping them reach the league championship, as well as a bid to the Caribbean Series. This spring, Silva is listed on both Team Italy's WBC roster as well as the roster of the Delfines del Carmen in the Mexican League, his team from last season.