SF Giants add catching prospect Andy Thomas to MLB camp roster
The SF Giants have added catching prospect Andy Thomas to the team's big-league roster at spring training. Thomas joins the 37 other non-roster invitees and is the seventh catcher in the group. Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the team added Thomas to the roster because Brett Auerbach is dealing with an undisclosed physical issue and will not be in camp. Thomas was not ranked in Giants Baseball Insider's latest prospect rankings.
Reds infielder Noelvi Marte (16) and SF Giants catcher Andy Thomas during an Arizona Fall League game. (2022)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Mariners out of Baylor. A left-handed hitter, Thomas was having a promising first full season in 2022, hitting .264/.400/.444 with Seattle's High-A affiliate before he was traded to the Giants at the trade deadline with Michael Stryffeler for Curt Casali and Matthew Boyd. However, once he joined the Giants High-A affiliate in Eugene, Thomas' offensive production fell off a cliff. He hit just .174/.304/.221 with only one double and one home run in 104 plate appearances.
Thomas was one of several Giants prospects who participated in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. He struggled offensively, hitting .182/.372/.212 in 12 games with 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 43 plate appearances. Most concerningly, he only threw out 13% of opposing base stealers and racked up three passed balls in 94 innings.
Thomas spent five years at Baylor and is on the older end for a recent draft pick, set to turn 25 in June. But he does have an advanced understanding of the strike zone and has put the ball in play at a decent clip throughout his career. Even without elite power potential, Thomas has a path to the majors if he can become a viable defender behind the plate. While Thomas has virtually no chance of making the Giants opening day roster, the invitation should give him some valuable opportunities against high-level competition.
