Clete Thomas Stats & Scouting Report

AB	709
AVG	.233
OBP	.311
SLG	.353
HR	13

Full name Michael Clete Thomas
Born 11/14/1983 in Jacksonville, FL
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Auburn
Debut 03/31/2008
Drafted in the 6th round (180th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2005 (signed for $150,000).

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Thomas was a premium draft pick out of high school along with current Auburn teammate Josh Bell, and both will probably go in the same range or slightly better as college juniors. Neither has improved dramatically in college, distressing for scouts who see plus tools in both players. Thomas' tools fit a center-field profile, but he plays right field for the Tigers, and scouts aren't sure if he has the instincts for center. He lacks the power for right, and in attempting to hit for more power this spring, he's become a dead-pull, guess hitter, leading to more homers (seven, after hitting six in his first two seasons combined) and more strikeouts (55 in just 209 at-bats). Thomas is an above-average runner and good basestealer with a strong throwing arm, but his production has not matched his tools.

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Thomas hadn't played above Double-A prior to 2008 but caught the eye of Tigers manager Jim Leyland in spring training. Soon after the team learned Curtis Granderson would begin the regular season on the disabled list, Thomas was plucked from minor league camp and placed on the 25-man roster. His first big league at-bat was an 11th-inning double on Opening Day, which reflected his quick bat and competitive calm. He uses the whole field and has gap power, but he strikes out too much because he has trouble with breaking pitches. Thomas runs well and is an above-average defender. Capable of playing all three outfield positions, he takes good routes on flyballs and throws well. He had two stints with Detroit in the first half then slumped at Triple-A after the all-star break, for a reason that became clear only after the season was over. Thomas tore a ligament in his throwing elbow prior to a June 21 game in San Diego but played through the injury for more than two months. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September, and it's likely that he'll begin this season on the disabled list. The injury will cost him development time and hurt his chances to contribute in the majors this year. His tools and grit should make him a big leaguer in the long run, perhaps as a platoon outfielder.
Thomas' tools began to take shape during a productive 2007 season in Double-A. He demonstrated better plate discipline and made more contact than he had the year before. He's a smart, determined hitter from the left side who uses the whole field. He still strikes out a little too much because he doesn't handle breaking balls well from either lefties or righties. Thomas probably won't be a double-digit home run hitter but has some power to the gaps and his pull side. He runs very well but must do a better job of picking his spots to steal after getting caught 11 times in 29 tries last season. Thomas takes good angles and routes and can play all three outfield positions with a slightly above-average arm. At this point, his ceiling appears to be as a platoon outfielder. He would need to cut down on his strikeouts and perform better against lefthanders in order to be an everyday player in the major leagues, but his defensive ability and baseball instincts could make him a valuable extra outfielder for the Tigers. Brett Clevlen and Matt Joyce also will be pushing for big league jobs, so Thomas has his work cut out for him. He'll likely begin this season in Triple-A.
The Tigers have moved Thomas quickly since signing him as a sixth-round pick in 2005. He spent most of his pro debut in low Class A, and all of his first full season in high Class A. His all-around tools led Detroit to believe Thomas could handle being on the fast track, but he struck out in droves, struggled mightily against lefthanders (.217 with one homer) and didn't hit for much power. The Tigers have tried to improve the load in his swing to give him more pop, but his slashing style may not be conducive to more than average power. Thomas stands out most right now for his pure speed and terrific baserunning instincts, which enabled him to rank fourth in the Florida State League in stolen bases. He's a plus defender in center field with quality range and a strong arm. But the presence of Curtis Granderson and Cameron Maybin in the organization will make it difficult for Thomas to make the Tigers as a center fielder. His bat doesn't profile well on the corners, either. If Maybin goes to Double-A, it's possible that Thomas could repeat high Class A.
Thomas was a fifth-round pick out of high school in 2002 but didn't sign with the Twins. The Tigers were excited to get him as a sixth-rounder in 2005 because he's a college player with two tools hard to find in college--arm strength and speed. Signed for $150,000, he grades out as above-average in both area for most scouts. While Thomas played almost exclusively in right field at Auburn, Detroit believes he profiles best in center field. That's in part because of his speed, and in part because of his slashing style at the plate, as he projects to hit for just average power at best. The Tigers adjusted his hands in his swing to try to give him more of a load and more power. Detroit isn't overflowing with center fielders in the organization, though Cameron Maybin could end up there. Thomas will need to make better reads and get better jumps in the outfield, and his positioning will have to improve as he gains more experience in center. His maturity and polish should keep him a level ahead of Maybin in the short term, and Thomas is slated to start in center in high Class A this year.