Message #2226052

[zimm_da_kid]

From his write up on mlb.com’s 2018 cardinals prospect list

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018/?list=stl

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Thomas was a top high school talent out of Tennessee in 2014 when the Blue Jays went well over pick value to sign him in the fifth round of that June's Draft. He was making slow, incremental progress, slowed periodically by injuries, when he was dealt to the Cardinals in July 2017 for international bonus pool money. He responded by having a breakout year, playing across two levels of the upper Minors and earning a spot on St. Louis' 40-man roster.

Thomas has long had solid all-around tools with plus instincts that allow them to play up. More than anything, staying healthy was the key component in his leap forward in 2018 as he had a full season really for the first time in his career. He has a simple approach at the plate and was able to tap into the raw power he'd shown since high school by standing a little more upright at the plate and making his feet a little more narrow in his setup, leading to him more than doubling his career home run output heading into the season. Thomas has very good speed and excellent instincts on the basepaths, though he has to learn to be more efficient when stealing bases. His speed and instincts help him in the outfield, where he's above-average in center field and has more than enough arm to handle a corner spot if needed.

If things keep moving in the right direction, Thomas has the upside to be a 15 homer-15 stolen base kind of offensive performer. He might be best suited as a valuable fourth outfielder, but seeing him play his way into an every day role in center field isn't out of the question