Lane Thomas, OF - not a prospect, but . . .

[JCA-CrystalCity]

this is a start of a thread for posting.  More background to come. IF you find a decent write up, post it and we can copy it into the Opening post.

https://www.mlb.com/player/lane-thomas-657041

Technically, due to service time (1 year, 68 days), Thomas is no longer a rookie and is not a "prospect."  But, he's in the minors for now and not an established MLB player.  Classic AAAA trap for now.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Thomas was in the majors most of the season for St. Louis, but he appeared in only 32 games and has only 48 plate appearances. The 25-year-old could receive an opportunity to showcase himself in Washington down the stretch amid the team's rebuild.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-lane-thomas-moves-to-nationals/

Thomas, 25, entered the 2021 season ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Cardinals organization and recognized as the “Fastest Baserunner” and “Best Defensive Outfielder” in the organization by Baseball America.
...
He has appeared in 84 games across three Major League seasons (2019-2021) hitting .172 with three doubles, one triple, five home runs, 15 RBI, 18 walks, three stolen bases and 13 runs scored.

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Lane was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.

https://www.masnsports.com/masn-news-information/2021/07/nationals-acquire-lane-thomas.html

Based on his prior call ups and age, it looks like he'll be out of options next year.  Perhaps he pushes Stevenson for a 5th OF slot.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://districtondeck.com/2021/08/06/washington-nationals-twitter-loves-lane-thomas/

Thud. Thud. Thud. That’s the sound of fans jumping on the Lane Thomas bandwagon. Thomas is a bit of an icon already in Washington Nationals lore. He is the player General Manager Mike Rizzo coaxed away from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Jon Lester at the trade deadline.
...
the jury is still out on Lane Thomas. The Nats may find out sooner than later what they have in this guy some call a AAAA player.

Based on his heroics in the Nationals organization thus far, and news that Juan Soto felt something in his knee after scoring in the ninth inning, we may be seeing Lane Thomas in a big league park near you, real soon.

[UMDNats]

If Lane Thomas accomplishes literally one good game in a Nats uniform (even as simple as 2-for-4, 2B, RBI), home run trade for Rizzo.

[welch]

Thomas went 2-for-5 last night for Rochester. Second hit was the walkoff that made Aaron Barrett, the Great Bear, a winner after Tanner Rainey blew the save.

I'm thinking that if Thomas even gets a hit for the Nats and catches a fly ball then this is a home run trade for Rizzo.

[Smithian]

My earlier thoughts

We got him for Jon Lester. I don't expect much. I'm saying he may end up the RH in a backup OF platoon with a 34 year old on a team I expect will be rebuilding. That isn't the prediction I give a star prospect.

I think he is a great pickup for the price. He has speed, he had a 60 fielding grade as a prospect, he has shown power. 2019 was a breakout before he got hurt and fell apart in 2020 and just hasn't picked it up.

Do I expect him to turn into a quality major leaguer? Not particularly. Do I think a quiet role on a rebuilding team is the perfect place for him to try to rebound his career? Absolutely.

[welch]

FG:

Prospects Report

2020 Graduates   Team Rank:   14   Overall Rank:   N/A   ETA:   2020
Hit           Game Power   Raw Power   Speed   Field           Throws   FV
45 / 50   40 / 45           50 / 50           55 / 55   60 / 60   55 / 55   40+

Graduation TLDR: Many scouts see Thomas as a fourth outfielder but others think he'll hit more than that. St. Louis' outfield logjam slowed his development ahead of his rookie graduation.

[zimm_da_kid]

This is hilarious.  We got a guy with actual tools and control for Lester

[welch]

This is hilarious.  We got a guy with actual tools and control for Lester

Not a "something for nothing" trade, but a "something for a negative" trade. I wonder what is wrong with the collective brains of the Cardinals front office, but maybe the Nats can trade them Corbin as soon as the season is over.

[Section214]

I expect Thomas to be up very soon, there is no reason to keep playing Parra. Thomas put up some really big numbers in the minor leagues and shows every tool necessary to be a nice OF piece. Let's give him two months as part of the platoon with Robles/Stevenson/Hernandez playing LF and CF.

[welch]

I expect Thomas to be up very soon, there is no reason to keep playing Parra. Thomas put up some really big numbers in the minor leagues and shows every tool necessary to be a nice OF piece. Let's give him two months as part of the platoon with Robles/Stevenson/Hernandez playing LF and CF.

Good idea, although Parra is a good fielder -- maybe not fast enough for CF now -- and a better hitter than Robles and Stevenson. If Soto has a "something" in his knee, then Thomas and Stevenson to RF, with Robles using his last chance to show he can hit.

[zimm_da_kid]

Not a "something for nothing" trade, but a "something for a negative" trade. I wonder what is wrong with the collective brains of the Cardinals front office, but maybe the Nats can trade them Corbin as soon as the season is over.

“You guys like old, bad lefties?  Well I got a young, bad lefty and all I want in return is Nolan Gorman”