Ian Thomas (baseball)

Ian Thomas

Thomas with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves – No. 60
Pitcher
Born: April 20, 1987
Norfolk, Virginia
Bats: Right Throws: Left
MLB debut
March 31, 2014 for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics
(through April 26, 2015)
Win–loss record 1–2
Earned run average 3.46
Strikeouts 15
Teams

Ian Drew Thomas (born April 20, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Career

Thomas is a graduate of Kellam High School.[1] He played college baseball at Louisburg College and Virginia Commonwealth University. After going undrafted in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, he signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League.[2] In 2010 he was the Northern League Rookie Pitcher of the Year, after going 5–1 with a 1.64 earned run average (ERA).[3] After three years with Winnipeg, he signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2012.[4][5]

In May 2012, he signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.[6] He appeared in 26 games, going 5–0 with a 3.15 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 45 innings. In 2013 he pitched for the Mississippi Braves. He started 13 of 39 total games, finishing with a 2.76 ERA and 123 strikeouts over 104 1⁄3 innings. Thomas was a nonroster invitee to 2014 Spring Training with the Braves where he pitched 10.1 innings in 11 Spring Training games for a 1-0 record, 2.61 ERA, 13 strikeouts, and a 1.16 WHIP. He was not expected to make the parent club, anticipating AAA Gwinnett as his 2014 team. However, due to a rash of injuries to Braves' pitchers and an impressive Spring Training run, Thomas was one of the final two players (along with fellow left-handed reliever Ryan Buchter) named to the Atlanta Braves' Opening Day roster.[7] He was filling a relief role with the club.

On May 4, 2014, Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for Gavin Floyd, who was activated off the disabled list.[8] He was moved to the starting rotation in Gwinnett where he made one start, not allowing any runs in three innings and striking out five.[9] The Braves tasked the lefty with developing a slider to add to his arsenal, strengthening his value to the Braves when they need him again. On May 10, 2014, he was recalled to Atlanta to replace Jordan Walden, who was placed on the 15-day DL for a pulled hamstring. He was expected to remain with Atlanta until May 20.[9] He was optioned back to Gwinnett on May 31.[10] Thomas was invited to spring training in 2015, and reassigned to Gwinnett on March 9.[11] Thomas was recalled on April 21, a day after Andrew McKirahan was suspended for eighty games.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Kellam grad Ian Thomas makes Atlanta Braves' roster". The Virginian-Pilot. March 30, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  2. ↑ Miller, Ed (May 11, 2013). "Kellam grad rides a rocky road to minor league stardom". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  3. ↑ Frankel, Robby (June 14, 2011). "Goldeyes' big 'rookie' has all the right stuff". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Revolution sign left-handed pitchers for 2012 season". The Evening Sun. February 13, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  5. ↑ Seip, Jim (April 20, 2012). "Revs' Thomas brings the heat, tweaking his mechanics". York Daily Record. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Thomas, Miranda sign minor league deals with the Braves". Virginia Commonwealth University Athletics. May 21, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  7. ↑ Morgan, Joe (March 29, 2014). "Thomas thrilled to make Opening Day roster". MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lezotte, Dave (May 4, 2014). "Ian Thomas Optioned to Gwinnett". MILB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Rogers, Carroll (May 10, 2014). "Thomas ready to test slider in return to majors". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ Bowman, Mark; Cahill, Teddy (May 31, 2014). "Simmons earns callup to beleaguered Braves 'pen". MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. ↑ Collier, Jamal (March 9, 2015). "Braves make first round of spring cuts". MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Left-hander Ian Thomas recalled by Braves from Triple-A". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 21, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.

External links