Isaiah
Thomas

2021 MLB Draft: Coming off a strong fall season, Thomas was expected to lead the middle of the Vanderbilt lineup this spring and he finished with a .305/.361/.583 line and 13 home runs in 60 games. He struck out at a high clip, about 34 percent in his first 75 or so plate appearances and managed to bring that down to about 27 percent before season's end. He shows good balance and he’s able generate big-time bat speed, but his swing enters too steeply into the hitting zone. He lacks bat lag and is in/out of the hitting zone quickly. His timing has to be perfect and when it is, the ball jumps. When it’s not, there’s swing and miss. However, what makes Thomas so intriguing, in addition to his raw power, are his size, athleticism and other tools. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm. He has big frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and too many physical tools to be passed over too many times.

6’3” 210. Strong athletic body. Not a great day but the tools are there. Good balance and approach at the plate. Plus raw power. Ball jumps off his bat with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Solid defender tracks the ball well and takes good routes to the ball. Throws are accurate and have good carry. Has instincts to play CF if he had to, but not ideal. See as an everyday corner outfielder at the ML level. 2-3 round type guy. (Slowik)

Coming off a strong fall season, Thomas was expected to lead the middle of the Vanderbilt lineup this spring. And so far the results have been strong with a .343/.421/.657 slash to go along with four home runs and four stolen bases. However, he has also struck out at a whopping 34% clip (26 KOs in 76 plate appearances). He shows good balance and he’s able generate big-time bat speed, but his swing enters too steeply into the hitting zone. He lacks bat lag and is in/out of the hitting zone quickly. His timing has to be perfect. When it is, the ball jumps. When it’s not, there’s swing/miss. From my perspective his swing is a re-make, not just one that “needs more at-bats to develop.” However, what makes Thomas so intriguing, in addition to his raw power, are his size, athleticism and other tools. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm. Although Thomas has a much bigger frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, his skill set reminds me of Jeran Kendall, who was a 1st round pick of the Dodgers in 2017 out of Vanderbilt. Kendall has provided the baseball industry a reminder that a high college strikeout rate is very difficult to overcome in pro ball and Thomas will likely be crushed in the draft because of this. With that said he has too many physical tools to pass over too many times. His raw tools are similar to Blake Brown (Missouri) who swung/missed at a 25% K rate and was ultimately selected by the Braves in the 5th round in 2012. Thomas will likely be selected somewhere between Kendall and Brown.

Showed some raw power in BP on Sunday, but scouts still aren’t crazy about his swing. Still, he’s a live-bodied athlete with an average arm in center field, where his speed is his calling card. The Commodores are counting on him to blossom into an impact regular as a sophomore next spring.

Vanderbilt recruit. Is one of the most explosive athletes in the class.Offensively he is extremely interesting, he has present bat speed, but can cut himself off and not clear his backside at times. There is present power and big power potential and when the tools click  the ceiling is maybe the highest in the class. Defensively,showed a quick first step and good closing speed in the outfield. During the game he made a tough play on a hard hit line drive where he laid out and made a diving catch while playing centerfield. The high end tools and plus speed make him extremely intriguing.

Vanderbilt recruit. Long, lean, projectable build on a 6-foot-3, 190 pound frame. Quiet in the box with quick hands through the zone. Had an RBI line drive single through the left side of the infield during the game.

Committed to Vanderbilt.

Six-foot-2, 170 pound outfielder with a loose lean athletic live projectable body. Has a loose quick bat with late bat speed. Good strength and quickness in his hands. Ball jumps off his bat. Will have big future power. Can drive ball to both gaps. Athletic actions in the outfield with good instincts. Made a great over the head catch in deep CF. Showed above average range. Has a solid average ML arm. Throws have good carry. Ran a 6.7 60. Should become a 2018 draft.