The Arizona Diamondbacks have seen an attendance increase every year since 2020. A World Series appearance in 2023 certainly helps but fans are flocking to Chase Field to see an influx of young talent that is helping to change the team culture and has given the clubhouse more energy. One of those players who is a fan favorite is Alex Thomas.
The 25-year-old was a second-round pick of the Diamondbacks in the 2018 draft and ascended through all of the minor league levels rapidly. Only the 2020 COVID season slowed him down as evidenced by his selection to play in the All-Star futures game in not only 2019 but 2021 as well. He reached the Major Leagues in May of 2022 and despite a few injuries has seen regular playing time ever since.
Alek Thomas Continues To Build MLB Career
“To be able to be out here and give it what I have is cool,” Thomas told MLBbro.com about being healthy this season. “I’m very happy to be part of this team and try and make an impact” he added despite his team struggling during the recent homestand. While Thomas has played all three outfield positions in the minor leagues he has been exclusively a centerfielder when he is wearing the Diamondbacks uniform. “You definitely have to be the guy that speaks up. I’ve been doing that my whole life” he explained part of the responsibility of that position. “You have to trust that connection and make sure you’re communicating” he added about his fielding relationship with the corner outfielders.
Thomas played his high school baseball in Chicago, Illinois and certainly remembers some of the events that helped shape him as a player. The Double Duty Classic is an annual baseball game that features elite inner city high school players from across the country.
“Playing in that and having that experience in the White Sox stadium that I was familiar with was great” he recalled. “Wearing the classic jersey and knowing the history that comes behind that means a lot. A bunch of us inner city kids, African-Americans, Hispanic decent exposing our talents and trying to grow the game was a great experience” he expanded.
Alek Thomas Stays Connected To Inner-City
Since becoming a Major League ballplayer Thomas has spent a lot of time in the Phoenix community. He has helped deliver bicycles to underprivileged kids and coached youth baseball camps.
“It’s fun, for me growing up I don’t think I ever had a professional athlete come to our school and tell how they live their lives and go about their business” Thomas shared about speaking to a classroom of children last August. “For me to give back some time is cool and its fun. You never know what type of impact you are going to have in their lives” he told MLBbro.com
Thomas spent a lot of time in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse when he first started playing baseball and got a close look at how a big league team operates. “There were a lot of great players even hall of famers that were around. The one person that meant the world to me though was my dad” Thomas said proudly. Alek’s dad Allen was the strength and conditioning coach for the White Sox for 28 years. “He saw all my games through video. To have time with him in the clubhouse was all I ever wanted, and it was awesome” Thomas concluded.
There is a good chance that Thomas will have a career high in both RBI and batting average this season if he continues his steady play. We can also expect him to have his 1000th official at bat during the Diamondbacks upcoming series in Atlanta.
