Next up? Young outfielder Colby Thomas, who finally made his big league debut this past season. It was only a quick couple of months of getting to know the new guy but this right-handed bat could be a big piece
of the next A’s playoff team. What will his role be for the club in 2026 though?
How was he acquired?
After three years in college attending Mercer, Thomas was drafted by the Athletics in 2022, going in the third round (95th overall). While he was originally going to attend the University of Florida the A’s were able to get him to sign and forgo that commitment, adding a big power bat to a farm system in need of impact position players.
What were the expectations?
Thomas joined the organization shortly after suffering a labrum tear in his shoulder. That put a bit of a question mark on him right away but before the injury he’d have likely gone far higher in the draft. After three years in college he could be a fast riser through the farm system. He had plenty of power in that bat of his and looked like a solid enough defender in the outfield corners that he could stick there long-term. The question was going to be if he could handle big league breaking pitches and keep his strikeouts down. A common problem for many prospects.
His first season in Single-A put to rest any concerns about that shoulder after he hit 18 home runs while advancing to High-A. The next season he began in Double-A and was crushing the ball there before getting another quick promotion to the final level of the minor leagues after less than 200 total games played. There he continued to showcase that raw power with 17 big flies in just 73 games.
There was a possibility the A’s could promote him at the end of ‘24 just to get his feet wet but they elected not to go down that path, making 2025 the year that he’d finally make his debut. With Lawrence Butler the only long-term commitment in the outfield at the time, there was a path to earning a spot with the A’s in the outfield.
2025 Results
Thomas began the year in Triple-A but everyone knew he’d be making the jump to the big league squad soon enough. It took a little while longer than hoped thanks in part due to a crowded outfield but he was mashing down in Vegas, hitting .291/.36/.529 with 18 home runs though the first half of the season. Those are impressive stats even considering the hitter-friendly environment he was in.
The 24-year-old would finally get his first callup on June 30th and made his big league debut that evening as a pinch-hitter. While the A’s were out of contention Thomas began mostly as a pinch-hitter with the occasional start here and there. Things didn’t exactly click for him right away (as is normal with most rookies) but eventually began to pick it up. It also took a while to see his power show as he hit his first career home run after just over a month in the big leagues. He would go on to hit five more during the final two months of the season, finishing his rookie season with a .225/.267/.417 with six long balls in 49 games. Not great, but not terrible considering it was his first look in the Majors. Not every prospect can be Nick Kurtz.
2026 Outlook
Thomas is still considered one of the better outfield prospects in the system though his debut didn’t exactly instill confidence that he’s ready. With the outfield mostly set there isn’t an easy avenue to regular at-bats with the big league club, though as a right-handed hitter he could possibly steal some playing time away from lefty swingers Tyler Soderstrom and/or Butler against a tough lefty on the opposing mound. He could also begin the year back in Triple-A in order to get regular at-bats and stay ready, and hopefully try to cut down on the strikeouts. This coming season will be a big one for Thomas as he wouldn’t want to get stuck with the Quadruple-A label.
