The Arizona Diamondbacks designated center fielder Alek Thomas for assignment and called up top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
It’s a big move for a team that’s struggling at 17-19, sitting 5.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.
Thomas has been Arizona’s starting center fielder, but his bat just hasn’t been there this season. He’s hitting .181 with a .563 OPS through 36 games, and that’s simply not getting it done.
The 26-year-old’s defense remains solid, and he’s already swiped four bases. But his offensive numbers tell the story – his OPS+ has never reached league average in his career.
What makes this move make sense is that Thomas was out of options. The D-backs needed a roster spot for Waldschmidt, their top prospect, and couldn’t send Thomas down to Triple-A.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks DFA starting center fielder Alek Thomas in surprisng move and call up OF Ryan Waldschmidt, their NO. 1 prospect,” Nightengale reports.
Thomas did have his moments during Arizona’s World Series run in 2023, posting a .734 OPS and coming through with clutch hits. But this season’s been a different story entirely.
Now, just because he’s been designated doesn’t mean Thomas is hitting the open market immediately. The Diamondbacks can still trade him if another team comes calling, and there’s a decent chance that happens.
His defense and baserunning make him valuable as a bench piece, even if the bat’s been lacking. Career numbers of .230/.634 OPS aren’t pretty, but teams need gloves in the outfield.
For Arizona, this move signals they’re ready to see what Waldschmidt can bring to the table. At 17-19, they need something to shake things up if they want to make a run in the NL West.
The way I see it, Thomas will likely find a new home relatively quickly. Teams always need outfield depth, and his defensive ability gives him value even with the offensive struggles.
