Eric Thomas Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Eric M. Thomas
Born 03/21/1981 in Greenfield, MA
Profile Ht.: 6'9" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School South Alabama
Drafted in the 3rd round (79th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 (signed for $470,000).

View Draft Report

Thomas spent his first two college seasons at Division II New Haven (Conn.), where he worked three innings, and Briarcliffe (N.Y.) JC, where he was drafted in the 11th round by the Tigers after reaching 93 mph. At 6-foot-9, he's able to throw on a downward plane that's tough on hitters. He looked like a possible first-round pick early this year when he came out throwing 96 mph and showing a late-breaking curveball, but he came down with shoulder tendinitis and was sidelined for eight weeks. He has been given a clean bill of healthy by Dr. James Andrews, who examined him and found no structural damage. But Thomas hasn't thrown as well since returning, and while he's intriguing, some scouts question his secondary stuff and his ability to move quickly through the minors.

Top Rankings

Not to be confused with fellow 2002 Brewers draftee Eric A. Thomas, a 28th-rounder, Eric M. Thomas may prove to be a steal as a third-rounder. He spent his first two college seasons at NCAA Division II New Haven (Conn.), where he worked three innings, and Briarcliffe (N.Y.) Junior College, where he was drafted in the 11th round by the Tigers after reaching 93 mph. With an imposing 6-foot-9 frame, Thomas touched 96 mph during the spring and was projected to be a first-rounder until shoulder tendinitis shelved him for two months. He was given a clean bill of health by Dr. James Andrews, who found no structural damage. But Thomas hasn't thrown as well since returning, and while he's intriguing some scouts question his secondary stuff and his ability to move quickly through the minors. He showed a sharp curve at times in college but still needs to develop a changeup and throw more strikes. He might develop more quickly as a closer.