Brad Thomas
| IP | 104 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.798 |
| WHIP | 1.731 |
| BB/9 | 4.587 |
| SO/9 | 3.894 |
- Full name Bradley Richard Thomas
- Born 10/12/1977 in Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Mitchell
- Debut 05/26/2001
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Nearly 10 years after signing his first pro contract as a 17-year-old Australian, Thomas is out of options and may finally be ready to help the Minnesota pitching staff. The Twins tried to sign him as a 17-year-old out of Australia in 1995, and finally got their hands on him two years later when visa problems forced the Dodgers to release him. Thomas has teased the Twins with overpowering stuff, topping out at 96 mph. He now works at 86-90 mph with his fastball, relying more on sink and tail than pure velocity. He also has a 74 mph three-quarters breaking ball and a changeup that fades. Thomas was bothered by elbow problems in spring training last year, though he avoided surgery to repair a slightly torn ligament that sidelined him for three months. Minnesota officials believe he'll be more effective out of the bullpen, where he may recoup some velocity. He'll get a chance in that role now that Eddie Guardado has departed free agency and Johan Santana has become a full-time starter, leaving J.C. Romero as the only established southpaw in the Twins relief corps. If Thomas doesn't break camp with the big league club, he'll likely be claimed by another team. -
The Twins narrowly lost out to the Dodgers in a bidding war for Thomas when he was a 17-year-old Australian with little pitching experience in 1995. When visa problems forced Los Angeles to release him two years later, Minnesota jumped at the second chance to sign him. He made his major league debut and had the third-lowest ERA in the minors in 2001, but he was torched in Triple-A last season. Thomas, who had run his fastball up into the mid-90s in the past, regularly works around 90 mph and touches 93 with good movement. He took a step in the wrong direction with his mechanics last season, causing his curveball to become inconsistent and his control to suffer. Thomas has the mentality to blow hitters away, but he struggles when he finds himself in a jam. His changeup is average. He has had his way with lefthanders in the past, but even they got in on the hit parade last season, batting .301 against him. The Twins already have more established lefties Eddie Guardado, J.C. Romero and Johan Santana virtually guaranteed spots on the staff. Thomas, entering his eighth pro season, is likely headed for a repeat of Triple-A. -
The Twins lost out to the Dodgers in 1995 for Thomas' services, but believe they struck it rich two years later when he was cut. The State Department had ordered Los Angeles to release a number of players because of visa troubles, and the Dodgers didn't consider Thomas a prospect after his velocity had dipped into the low 80s. Minnesota scooped him up three days after Los Angeles let him go. Thomas now can run his fastball up to 95-96 mph. What makes him effective, though, is the movement he gets when he cuts or sinks the pitch and throws at 90-92. His curveball and changeup project as major league average. He's tough on lefthanders, and he has the stamina and diverse arsenal to remain effective late into a game. Thomas ran into trouble against major leaguers when he struggled to locate his fastball. He has good control but sometimes catches too much of the strike zone, which is how he surrendered six homers in 16 big league innings. As with Adam Johnson, injuries forced Thomas to Minnesota well ahead of schedule. He needs another full year of innings in Triple-A, but might be called upon for major league bullpen duty this year. -
An outstanding student and late-blooming ballplayer, Thomas signed with the Dodgers but was released because of a visa snafu in May 1997. The Twins grabbed him three days later. He had a busy 2000, pitching in the Futures Game and for the home team in the Olympics. Minnesota has been aggressive in Australia, where scout Howard Norsetter also uncovered prospect Grant Balfour. Thomas has good stuff for a lefthander. He has an above-average fastball, consistently throwing 91 mph and higher, to go with a solid changeup and curve. He doesn't get rattled and concerns himself more with outs than strikeouts. He's heavier than his listed weight, yet the Twins like his athleticism. As his one hot and one cold start in Sydney demonstrated, Thomas needs to do a better job locating his fastball. He can get velocity-happy, which is when he usually gets into trouble. Thomas remained effective even while New Britain lost its final 17 games of the 2000 season. If he has a good spring, he'll begin 2001 in Triple-A.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Think the Dodgers might like a second chance to keep Thomas, whom they released in 1997 because of visa problems? The Australian Olympian was the best pitcher on the EL's best pitching staff. Thomas throws strikes with a low-90s fastball, a curveball and a changeup, though his command deserted him when he was briefly promoted to Minnesota at midseason. His fluid delivery reminded Cliburn of former big leaguer Jerry Koosman's. "He has all the makings of a classic lefthanded starter," Freiling said. "He has a good delivery and his fastball has velocity. He has a real sharp breaking ball and his changeup is improving. That's a guy who can have three major league pitches, and he's still young."
