The Diamondbacks have recalled infielder Blaze Alexander from Triple-A Reno. Going the opposite method in a corresponding transfer is outfielder Alek Thomas, who has been optioned to Reno. Previous to the official announcement, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic was amongst these to relay on X that Alexander was within the clubhouse whereas Thomas’s locker was being cleared out.
Thomas, 24, will get despatched to the minors for the primary time in over a 12 months, as he was final optioned in Could of 2023. As of some years in the past, he was thought-about one of many prime prospects in baseball primarily based on his potential means to be an all-around contributor. Whereas he has proven some velocity and a few sturdy protection at occasions, he has been persistently subpar on the plate.
From his 2022 debut to the current, Thomas has now stepped to the plate 915 occasions on the main league degree. He has 20 dwelling runs in that point however his 5.2% stroll charge is just a few ticks beneath common and his general batting line of .226/.271/.359 interprets to a wRC+ of 71, indicating he’s been 29% worse than league common general. That features a .191/.248/.362 line and 67 wRC+ right here in 2024.
Thomas has some encouraging indicators on his Statcast web page by way of how exhausting he hits the ball, so it would look like unhealthy luck that he has a .261 batting common on balls in play, which is effectively beneath par. Nevertheless, he’s additionally regularly struggled to get beneath the ball, with a 57.2% floor ball charge in his profession and a 60% charge right here in 2024.
In earlier seasons, Thomas has made up for his lack of offense by offering worth in heart area, however that hasn’t been the case this 12 months. He got here into 2024 with 11 Defensive Runs Saved and 11 Outs Above Common within the outfield however each of these metrics have put a mark of -1 on him this 12 months. Maybe he hasn’t been absolutely wholesome, as he spent a while on the injured listing because of a left hamstring pressure and his dash velocity of 27.9 toes per second is down from earlier years. He was at 29.3 in 2022 and 28.8 final 12 months.
Whether or not his well being has performed an element or not, he’s primarily been a alternative degree participant this 12 months and Jake McCarthy has pressured his method into extra taking part in time. McCarthy is hitting .311/.380/.458 this 12 months for a wRC+ of 135 whereas stealing 17 bases and and getting stable marks for his outfield work. These all-around contributions have led FanGraphs to credit score him with 2.7 wins above alternative on the 12 months already.
The Snakes have an outfield combine that consists of McCarthy, Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with Joc Pederson within the designated hitter slot most days. Randal Grichuk is commonly Pederson’s short-side DH platoon associate and can also be able to serving as a fourth outfielder. McCarthy has performed all three outfield positions however might maybe develop into the common in heart now whereas Thomas will get common at-bats in Reno and tries to get in a groove down there.
Talking of platoons, subbing in Alexander might assist the membership in that regard. Every of Thomas, Carroll, McCarthy and Pederson are lefties and all of them have notable platoon splits apart from McCarthy, who has reverse splits. Alexander hits right-handed might maybe cowl third base in opposition to southpaws whereas Eugenio Suárez, additionally a righty, strikes into the DH slot, permitting Grichuk to maneuver to the outfield and maybe defend Carroll sometimes. When Christian Walker returns from the IL and takes over at first base, the switch-hitting Josh Bell could possibly be an element as effectively.
Extra to come back.
