RJ
Thomae

Thomae showed exactly why he is one of the best overall players in the state at the MOSH on Saturday. A 6-foot, 175 pound twitchy athlete, he ran one of the best 60 yard dashes of the day at 6.82 seconds, showing textbook running gait and quick burst out of the blocks. During batting practice, Thomae was all over the barrel with a simple swing that creates backspin line drives to both gaps. It’s easy to see why he puts up such gaudy numbers during game play with the bat speed, the hand speed and the feel for the barrel. He threw the ball 86 mph during the outfield defense portion of the event showcasing a quick and loose arm with a quick release and accuracy. It’s no wonder why he was so coveted during the recruiting process by Valparaiso University. 

Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic, strong.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, relaxed hands.  Rhythmic flow to and through the ball, quiet head with fast hands inside to and through the ball, all over the barrel, hammers balls to both gaps.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.3 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH.   OF - 86 mph. Loose, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather in stride, works on-line, athletic actions.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. 

Thomae simply dominated this summer and fall, and he’s our top-ranked uncommitted outfielder as a result, up to No. 12 overall in the state. He led his talented travel ball team in hitting, extra-base hits and home runs, and he wasn’t hotter anywhere else than The Rock. He has a short, quick and simple swing that he repeats very well, allowing his barrel to stay in the zone for a very long time and it can redirect all kinds of pitches to all fields. Thomae’s athleticism is on display on the bases and in the outfield, where he makes rangy plays to both gaps. He is a high-level performer who has outstanding instincts for all aspects of the game, and he was arguably the top hitter we saw at our events in 2022.

Thomae put together one of the best weekends offensively this weekend at The Rock for the eventual Champions in Hitters. Earlier in the week, Thomae impressed while at the Top Prospect Milwaukee event where he ran a 6.78 in the 60 and followed it up with a consistent round of BP where he recorded a 94.2 max exit velocity. While at The Rock this weekend, from the leadoff spot, Thomae seemed to be on the barrel each time we got a look at him, tallying 13 hits throughout the weekend. 

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. HIgh waist, sloped shoulders, strong throughout especially to lower half
Hits: RHH. Small gather back, hits back of center Direct path and hands, strength in hands, can drive ball middle to pull
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 MPH. 345' max distance.
Arm: RH. OF-81 mph. Over the top slot. Quick arm draw. Carry and accuracy to the bag.
Defense:
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. Low to ground efficient smooth athletic

Thomae was another one of this event’s biggest winners. He brings to the ballpark some of the class’ best overall athleticism and he makes sure that it translates into gameplay, too. He’s a 6-foot, 175-pound prospect with a simple, repeatable right-handed swing that allows him to routinely and effortlessly land barrel after barrel. He peppered the left-center gap casually in batting practice, as he was one of just four players to earn a Sweet Spot rate of 90 percent, as measured by our TrackMan unit stationed behind home plate. Thomae ran a 6.95 in the 60-yard dash, measured by Swift tech, reaching a max run speed 19.8 mph, which was among the day’s fastest. That foot speed plays exceptionally well on defense, as well as the basepaths, too, making Thomae a well-rounded, must-see player in the state’s ‘24 class.

Thomas started his day running a 6.78 in the 60-yard dash before showcasing a fundamental batting practice round. He swung with control and relaxation at around 70 mph barrel speed. His swing works directly to the ball from above with a lagging barrel, and mostly utilizes the backside of the field. On defense, he moved with athleticism and feel for his energy funneling with direction consistently, and marked as high as 86 mph from the outfield. 

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build, strong lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, relaxed hands. Controlled load.  Direct ot impact. Works from high to low with some barrel depth. Mostly lagging from inside to the backside of the field.
Power: 91.2 max exit velocity, averaged 80 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 86 mph. Clean, high 3/4 action.
Defense: Moves with athleticism and feel for direction through the target. Well timed, in sync actions.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. 

Thomae is an athletic right-handed hitter with a short repeatable path that works in rhythm and on time. He showed excellent barrel awareness and drove several line-drives to the middle of the field.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with short stride. Repeatable, middle of the field contact, above average hand speed create short path, level through contact.
Power: 92.61 max exit velocity, averaged 83.71 mph. 327’ max distance. Flashed above average pop for age.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Over the top slot, clean arm action.
Defense: Athletic feet, big crowhop throw release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Lean, wiry strength; athletic frame that projects well.
Hit: RH. Wide, balanced base, slightly open; hands set low, away from body. Slightly static start; direct load onto back leg, hands motion back in rhythm. Brief leg lift stride back to slightly open, soft landing. Good posture and balance at impact, long bat path. Simple, repeats swing well.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Some natural loft in swing; raw power potential as he adds weight/strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot; throws carry, especially for his age.
Defense: Moves around the outfield with athleticism, fluid footwork. Direct and controlled approach. Efficient transfers and exchanges, smooth to release.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Long strides, athletic gait.