Position: RHP
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 217 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/16/1999
Country: Bahamas
Signed: International Free Agent, 2016 (Indians)
How Acquired: Trade (from Indians with Erik Gonzalez and Dante Mendoza for Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff)
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2023
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Indians signed Thomas as a very athletic pitcher with good velocity and limited experience on the mound. At the time the Pirates acquired him, when he was still 19, he threw a 92-95 mph fastball, a potentially good slider and a change. By 2019, he was sitting in the upper-90s and reaching triple digits. More recently, he sits in the mid-90s. Several prospect evaluators rated him, at the time of the trade, as one of the top 30 prospects in a deep Indians’ system.
2017-20
Thomas spent two years in rookie ball with Cleveland. He struggled with control his first year, then made progress in 2018, including a K/9 of 12.4. The Pirates acquired him after the season and he spent 2019 in the rotation at Bristol. He got off to a rocky start. He recorded only five outs in his first two starts, mainly due to poor control. From that point on, he dominated, including surprisingly good control. He finished with a 2.6 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9. He didn’t pitch in 2020.
2021-22
In 2021, the Pirates moved Thomas up to Greensboro, which was an ambitious jump. Still pitching as a starter, he struggled with his control for the first six weeks, walking over a batter an inning. The Pirates sent him to extended spring training for about three weeks to work on things. After he returned, his control was much better, but he didn’t dominate the way he should given his stuff. He had trouble with gopher balls at the home park, allowing ten there and only three on the road.
Thomas made a lot of progress with Altoona in 2022, this time pitching in relief. He stuggled in May, giving up eight earned runs in seven innings, then went the rest of the way with a 1.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.2 K/9. On the season, he cut his walk rate to slightly better than league average. He was eligible for Rule 5 for the second time after the season and the Pirates did not add him to the roster, but he wasn’t selected.
2023
Thomas went back to Altoona and his 2023 season didn’t go well at all, as he just doesn’t seem to have the same stuff he did in the low minors. In 44.1 IP, he walked 30 and struck out only 26. He had a 4.87 ERA and 1.58 WHIP.
Thomas will be eligible for minor league free agency in the fall.
Stats
TRANSACTIONS
December 5, 2016: Signed by the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent.
November 14, 2018: Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Erik Gonzalez and Dante Mendoza for Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff.