Brandon Thomas
| AB | 669 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .209 |
| OBP | .318 |
| SLG | .317 |
| HR | 12 |
- Full name John Brandon Thomas
- Born 02/07/1991 in Atlanta, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Georgia Tech
-
Drafted in the 8th round (254th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2013 (signed for $75,000).
View Draft Report
Thomas was an unexpected returning senior for the Yellow Jackets, having been drafted last year in the fourth round by the Pirates. He didn't sign for a variety of reasons and got a chance to play more center field this season after playing mostly in left in deference to Kyle Wren the previous two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound switch-hitter got off to huge start, hitting better than .400, then missed 11 games due to mononucleosis, which also sapped his strength. Thomas needs to play center because he lacks the power for a corner spot. He's a plus runner and good athlete, but some scouts say he lacks the instincts and route-running to be a true center fielder. He has good plate coverage and makes consistent contact but doesn't have the loose, handsy swing scouts look for in a pure hitter. Despite average raw power, he has just nine home runs in college. Thomas's draft stock will depend on how teams view his signability.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
-
Thomas was an unexpected returning senior for the Yellow Jackets, having been drafted last year in the fourth round by the Pirates. He didn't sign for a variety of reasons and got a chance to play more center field this season after playing mostly in left in deference to Kyle Wren the previous two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound switch-hitter got off to huge start, hitting better than .400, then missed 11 games due to mononucleosis, which also sapped his strength. Thomas needs to play center because he lacks the power for a corner spot. He's a plus runner and good athlete, but some scouts say he lacks the instincts and route-running to be a true center fielder. He has good plate coverage and makes consistent contact but doesn't have the loose, handsy swing scouts look for in a pure hitter. Despite average raw power, he has just nine home runs in college. Thomas's draft stock will depend on how teams view his signability. -
Thomas wasn't heavily scouted as a high school player and didn't earn consistent playing time as a Georgia Tech freshman. He emerged as a regular as a sophomore and ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer. Thomas has some obvious positives, starting with his big league 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame. A switch-hitter, he's an above-average runner with surprising baserunning savvy, as he's 38-for-44 stealing bases in his career. Thomas' swing from both sides is steady if a bit too strength-oriented and lacking in looseness. Some scouts think he could loosen up with a different conditioning program and develop average power. Thomas has a center-field profile but hasn't played center field at Tech with speedy Kyle Wren (also draft-eligible) playing there instead, pushing Thomas to left field. The team that drafts him will have to project on his ability to play center, or on his power. Center field is the safer bet for Thomas, who should go off the board in the first two rounds.
