No. 7 prospect Thomas making an impact for Team USA

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

After performing as arguably the top overall hitting prospect in the entire Athletics organization in 2024, Colby Thomas took his talents overseas to represent his home country.

Representing Team USA in the Premier12 tournament -- a competition featuring the top 12 men’s national baseball teams as determined by the WBSC’s ranking system at the end of 2023 -- Thomas flexed his impressive power while donning the stars and stripes. The 23-year-old outfielder homered in back-to-back games earlier this week during the super round at the Tokyo Dome against Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Managed by former Angels skipper Mike Scioscia and teaming up with fellow elite prospects such as Termarr Johnson and Justin Crawford, Thomas -- rated the A’s No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline -- has gained valuable experience by competing on the world stage. His performance at the plate also falls in line with the campaign he put together this season at Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas, combining to hit .277 with a .905 OPS, 31 homers, 44 doubles, five triples, 15 stolen bases and 92 RBIs in 132 games. He also ranked among the Minor League leaders (min. 400 plate appearances) in slugging percentage (.563) and isolated power (.287).

“Colby Thomas has big thunder and a wide array of impressive tools,” said A’s assistant general manager and director of player personnel Billy Owens, who likened Thomas’ strength and power to free-agent slugger Tyler O’Neill. “His high energy and aggressive motor are impactful. It's fantastic to see the adjustments he made in 2024 continuing in the Premier12.”

Thomas, a third-round pick out of Mercer University by the A’s in the 2022 MLB Draft, has quickly ascended through the system to the point where he is on the cusp of getting his first taste of big league action. Named the A’s 2024 Hitting Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline, he will get a strong look in front of the A’s Major League coaching staff down in Arizona this upcoming Spring Training, and the expectation is that he will be patrolling the outfield for the club at some point in 2025.

“He’s a player we’ve identified as someone that can have an impact in this organization,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “He’s put his name in discussions to come to camp and be part of our roster. It’s still a big jump, but it’s great to have that type of talent. … We look forward to getting him here and acclimating him in Spring Training.”