Colby Thomas

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #21 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Thomas was a power-speed threat at Mercer, albeit with hit tool questions after batting .228 in the Cape Cod League in 2021. He was in the midst of a productive junior spring in 2022 until a right shoulder labrum injury in May required season-ending surgery. The A’s signed him for $750,000 in the third round that year, and he made his pro debut in 2023, hitting .286/.351/.493 across Low-A Stockton and High-A Lansing.
  
  Scouting Report: Based on tools and athleticism, Thomas stacks up with almost any player in Oakland’s system. He has plus raw power, mostly geared toward right-center field, and averaged 104 mph 90th percentile exit velocity in 2023. Thomas’ plus running ability translates to both his defense and baserunning, where he stole 25 bases in 31 attempts. But there are concerns his hitting approach won’t hold up against better pitching. Thomas struck out 29.5% of the time compared to a 4.6% walk rate against High-A pitching. He chases too frequently, especially early in the count against breaking balls. Thomas plays with a high motor and covers plenty of ground defensively. He has a strong throwing arm, but his route-running needs refining. He’s likely best suited to right field.
  
  The Future: Thomas has some of the higher upside among position players in Oakland’s system. There’s risk involved, though, and his pitch recognition and plate coverage require considerable refinement to help reach that ceiling.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #158 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Mercer Committed/Drafted: Orioles ’19 (37)
  Age At Draft: 21.5
  BA Grade: 45/Extreme
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
  Thomas has long intrigued scouts in Georgia thanks to his plus running ability, raw power and above-average defensive potential in the outfield. There were plenty of questions about his pure hitting ability, though, after his 2020 season was cut short due to Covid and he hit .247 in 2021 with a 23.9% strikeout rate. He hit .228/.301/.457 with 18 strikeouts and six walks in a 29-game Cape Cod League stint in 2021 but took a huge leap forward during the 2022 season with Mercer. He was one of the most productive hitters in college baseball, hitting .325/.451/.734 with 17 home runs, 14 doubles, 11 stolen bases and more walks (34) than strikeouts (32) in 42 games. His season was cut short in May with a right shoulder injury that required labrum surgery. Thomas has a lean, 6-foot, 190-pound frame and works with an upright and open batting stance, with a sizable leg kick and uphill bat path geared for launching balls into the air. He does a nice job when he can get his hands extended and out over the plate but struggles on the inner half. Thomas will swing and miss against secondary offerings but has made plenty of contact against fastballs, though he admittedly didn’t face a large sample of 93-plus mph velocity in 2022. Thomas played right field for Mercer this spring but has the tools for center and the power and speed upside to excite teams, regardless of his health.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/Extreme
  
  August Update: Thomas has long intrigued scouts in Georgia thanks to his plus running ability, raw power and above-average defensive potential in the outfield. There were plenty of questions about his pure hitting ability, though, after his 2020 season was cut short due to Covid and he hit .247 in 2021 with a 23.9% strikeout rate. He hit .228/.301/.457 with 18 strikeouts and six walks in a 29-game Cape Cod League stint in 2021 but took a huge leap forward during the 2022 season with Mercer. He was one of the most productive hitters in college baseball, hitting .325/.451/.734 with 17 home runs, 14 doubles, 11 stolen bases and more walks (34) than strikeouts (32) in 42 games. His season was cut short in May with a right shoulder injury that required labrum surgery. Thomas has a lean, 6-foot, 190-pound frame and works with an upright and open batting stance, with a sizable leg kick and uphill bat path geared for launching balls into the air. He does a nice job when he can get his hands extended and out over the plate but struggles on the inner half. Thomas will swing and miss against secondary offerings but has made plenty of contact against fastballs, though he admittedly didn’t face a large sample of 93-plus mph velocity in 2022.