:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59954551/alek_thomas.0.jpg)
The Diamondbacks took CA prep SS Matt McLain at 25, Virginia OF Jake McCarthy at 39, and their 3rd and final selection is Illinois prep outfielder Alek Thomas. Thomas ranks as the #41 prospect on MLB Pipeline and #57 prospect on Baseball America and is the son of White Sox strength and conditioning coach Allen Thomas. Thomas runs well for center field and has solid hitting tools overall, but has a poor arm that may move him to LF if the Dbacks are able to unlock McCarthy’s potential with the bat.
At the minimum he should project to have average home run power with a solid hit tool and plus speed. The arm will cost him some runs in center field, but overall instincts allows him to make difficult plays look routine. Thomas was the leading hitter for a gold medal winning 18U US team in the World Baseball Cup.