Alek Thomas's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas came to spring training this year with a retooled swing. In his two years in the big leagues, Thomas has been a below-average hitter, and his biggest problem has been loading his weight awkwardly over the outside of his back foot. From a closed position, he had to pull his upper body awkwardly towards first base to reach inside pitches. Thomas and his new hitting coach worked this offseason to create separation in his load and also to give him more balance to stay under control at the plate. In his two major-league seasons, Thomas hasn't hit a ball harder than 111.3 mph, but in an at-bat before spring training against a minor-league pitcher, he hit one 116 mph. The 23-year-old former top prospect is already a strong defender, but cleaning up his hitting mechanics could take him to the next level in 2024 as an all-around player in Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (side) and outfielder Alek Thomas (wrist) are both back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Suarez is at third base and is batting fifth, while Thomas is in the seven-hole and is playing center field. The 32-year-old Suarez is the more attractive fantasy commodity because of his right-handed power. The Venezuelan slugger is a pretty consistent performer from a power perspective and should rebound from his 22-homer campaign in 2023 in a better hitting environment in Arizona, but he's also led the league in strikeouts in three of the last five seasons. Thomas was optioned to the minors at one point last year and is a defense-first player for the D-backs.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (wrist) is dealing with wrist soreness that kept him out of the team's Cactus League lineup on Monday. He has been tracking pitches during live batting practice sessions without swinging in the meantime, and manager Torey Lovullo said the concern is minimal and that Thomas could have played on Monday, if needed. It sounds as though the 23-year-old center fielder should be back in spring training action by the end of the week, if not sooner, and he'll be good to go for Opening Day in late March. Thomas struggled at the plate in 125 games for the D-backs last year, slashing .230/.273/.374 with nine home runs, 39 RBI and nine steals and was demoted to the minors in the first half. Unless he improves against left-handers, he probably isn't going to be much of an asset in shallow mixed leagues in 2024.