ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: Is D-backs’ top prospect Alek Thomas here to stay?

May 12, 2022, 7:05 AM | Updated: 7:50 am

Alek Thomas #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks catches a fly ball during batting practice prior to a ga...

Alek Thomas #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks catches a fly ball during batting practice prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field on May 10, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

We’ve been hearing for a while that the Arizona Diamondbacks have one of the best farm systems in baseball.

It’s finally starting to benefit the major league team.

Arizona’s top prospect Alek Thomas was called up this week to play centerfield while Daulton Varsho is handling the catching duties with Carson Kelly on the 10-day injured list.

Thomas has an impressive track record in four minor league seasons. He hit at every single level and got better as he advanced through the D-backs’ farm system.

In Triple-A Reno, he got on base 40% of the time while playing stellar defense. Those are things that the Diamondbacks haven’t had in centerfield for a long time.

Actually, you could argue that Arizona hasn’t had a true centerfielder in years.

While we’re excited to see Thomas in the big leagues, we’re not naïve to the fact that he could find himself back in the minors at some point.

However, with no one else on the roster who plays centerfield regularly, and Varsho filling in behind the plate, Thomas might secure regular playing time right away.

In this episode of “The Ain’t No Fang Podcast” Steve Zinsmeister and Cody Fincher evaluate Thomas’ very early success and discuss his potential future with the organization.

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The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: Is D-backs’ top prospect Alek Thomas here to stay?