Alek Thomas Explained

Alek Thomas
Team:Arizona Diamondbacks
Number:5
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:28 April 2000
Birth Place:Tucson, Arizona, U.S.[1]
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 8
Debutyear:2022
Debutteam:Arizona Diamondbacks
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 2, 2024
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.228
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:20
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:95
Stat4label:Stolen bases
Stat4value:16
Teams:
Show-Medals:no

Alek Thomas (born April 28, 2000) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022. He has played for the Mexico national baseball team.

Amateur career

Thomas attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. He committed to play both college baseball and college football at Texas Christian University.[2] During his high school career he hit .423 with 40 home runs and 158 runs batted in (RBIs).[3] He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[4]

Professional career

Thomas spent his first professional season with the Arizona League Diamondbacks and Missoula Osprey,[5] batting .333 with two home runs, 27 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 56 games between the two teams.[5] He started 2019 with the Kane County Cougars.[6] [7] [8] In July, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[9] In August, he was promoted to the Visalia Rawhide, with whom he finished the year.[10] Over 114 games between the two teams, Thomas slashed .300/.379/.450 with ten home runs, 55 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

Thomas did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] He began the 2021 season with the Amarillo Sod Poodles.[12] In June, Thomas was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[13] He was promoted to the Reno Aces in August.[14] Over 106 games between the two teams, he slashed .313/.394/.559 with 18 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 29 doubles.[15] [16] [17] He opened the 2022 season back with Reno, and hitting .277/.362/.495/.857 with 4 home runs and 14 RBI over 24 games.[18]

On May 8, 2022, Thomas was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[19] On May 11, he hit his first career home run off Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins.[20]

In Game 4 of the 2023 National League Championship Series, Thomas hit a pinch-hit, game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning to help propel the Diamondbacks to a 6–5 victory.[21]

International career

Thomas represented the United States at the 2017 U-18 Baseball World Cup and Mexico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Thomas was named to the 2017 U-18 All-World Team after recording a .361 batting average en route to a gold medal.[22]

Personal life

Thomas' father Allen was the longtime strength and conditioning coach of the Chicago White Sox. His mother Marcella "has roots" in Sonora and Thomas has family in Agua Prieta.[23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cheshire . Catie . Highly touted Tucson-born Diamondbacks prospect Alek Thomas excited for future . tucsonsentinel.com . July 3, 2024.
  2. Web site: Mount Carmel's Alek Thomas commits to TCU for baseball, football. Bob. Narang. chicagotribune.com. February 11, 2017 .
  3. Web site: Alek Thomas picks D-Backs over college. Tim. O’Brien. The Beverly Review. June 12, 2018 .
  4. Web site: Mount Carmel's Alek Thomas selected by Arizona in second round of MLB draft. Staff Report. June 4, 2018. Chicago Sun-Times.
  5. Web site: Prospect Thomas enjoys whirlwind first year. MLB.com.
  6. Web site: 'None of that fazed me': Mount Carmel grad Alek Thomas already making noise with Kane County Cougars. Paul. Johnson. chicagotribune.com. April 2, 2019 .
  7. Web site: Riding double-digit hit streak, Alek Thomas named Midwest League All-Star. Staff REPORTS. Morganton.com | The News Herald. June 6, 2019 .
  8. Web site: 'Hard work paying off': Kane County Cougars outfielder Alek Thomas named starter for Midwest League All-Star game. Paul. Johnson. chicagotribune.com. June 6, 2019 .
  9. Web site: Two Diamondbacks prospects selected for MLB's Futures Game. June 28, 2019. Arizona Sports.
  10. Web site: Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas: Promoted to High-A. CBSSports.com. August 3, 2019 .
  11. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled. MLB.com.
  12. Web site: Diamondbacks prospect Thomas excited for future. July 29, 2021.
  13. Web site: 2021 Futures Game rosters . Mlb.com . June 30, 2021 . August 27, 2021.
  14. Web site: Alek Thomas tearing it up at Triple-A level in Reno. September 22, 2021 .
  15. Web site: Diamondbacks top prospects 2022: Outfielder Alek Thomas among interesting pieces in Arizona's rebuild. December 16, 2021 .
  16. Web site: 'Knocking down that door': Diamondbacks' prospect Alek Thomas nearing his arrival .
  17. Web site: The Alek Thomas era of Diamondbacks baseball is rapidly approaching: 'He's going to be knocking down that door soon' .
  18. Web site: May 8, 2022 . D-backs call up No. 1 prospect Alek Thomas . May 8, 2022 . MLB.com.
  19. Web site: May 8, 2022 . D-backs calling up touted OF prospect Thomas . May 8, 2022 . ESPN.com.
  20. Web site: May 11, 2022 . D-backs' top prospect belts Alek Thomas belts first career home run vs. Marlins. May 11, 2022 . arizonasports.com.
  21. Web site: Piecoro . Nick . DBacks even NLCS with 3-run rally in 8th fueled by Alek Thomas, Gabriel Moreno . azcentral.com . October 21, 2023.
  22. News: 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup star Alek Thomas celebrates first MLB home run . March 20, 2023 . . May 13, 2022 . en.
  23. News: Romero . José M. . Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas is all in with Team Mexico at World Baseball Classic . March 20, 2023 . . March 10, 2023.

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