It regarded just like the Commerce Deadline was over for the Philadelphia Phillies. Then, within the eleventh hour, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made yet one more transfer.
In response to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the Phillies despatched right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson to the Athletics. In trade, the A’s despatched outfielder and former high prospect Colby Thomas again to Philadelphia.
This was a minor league commerce. Regardless of having MLB expertise, Thomas was despatched to Triple-A on the finish of July.
Stark famous that whereas that deal got here collectively, the Phillies weren’t capable of finding one other beginning pitcher or aid pitcher. As an alternative, Dombrowski ran out of time.
What to Know About New Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Colby Thomas
GettyColby Thomas enjoying with the Athletics
The Philadelphia Phillies added an attention-grabbing outfielder in Colby Thomas. As not too long ago as 2025, he was the No. 3 prospect within the Athletics’ system, trailing Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz earlier than all three had been capable of graduate to the majors.
Whereas Wilson and Kurtz have performed very effectively within the majors, Thomas has struggled. In 104 video games over two seasons and 253 at-bats, he has a profession .214 batting common. He additionally has a profession .252 OBP, .376 slugging proportion, and .628 OPS. So, the Phillies are hoping he advantages from a change of surroundings. At 25 years outdated, he’ll must determine it out comparatively shortly.
Notably, in Triple-A, Thomas hit .309 with a .971 OPS final 12 months. These are hitter-friendly situations, however are additionally why he was such a extremely regarded prospect.
MLB.com additionally shared a scouting report on Thomas. In it, it’s famous {that a} torn labrum slowed him down earlier than he shortly rose via the A’s farm system.
“Thomas’ uncooked energy that scouts raved about throughout his faculty days has translated to the skilled ranks. His compact swing permits him to drive the ball to all fields with some severe pressure. His selectivity on the plate has improved some as he has proven able to working counts and drawing an honest quantity of walks, although the A’s would nonetheless wish to see him reduce down the swing-and-miss and chase just a little bit extra,” the scouting report learn.
“Whereas some outsiders charge his arm barely under common, the A’s view Thomas as a plus defender with a great arm that may play all three outfield spots, although he has performed largely the corners all through his Minor League profession and profiles as such on the highest degree. His good velocity permits him to cowl loads of floor, in addition to pose an actual menace on the basepaths. Seemingly on the precipice of his first Main League callup, all that’s actually left to do for him is bide his time till an outfield want arises.”
Thomas could not make a direct influence for the Phillies. Nonetheless, he does doubtlessly fill a long-term want within the outfield. Even higher, he’s a a lot wanted right-handed bat.
The Phillies on the Commerce Deadline
GettyThe Philly Phanatic
Heading into the Commerce Deadline, Phillies star Bryce Harper made it clear. They “want some assist,” and it’s debatable whether or not or not that assist got here.
Probably the most notable add ended up being Luis Arraez. A contact hitter, he’s going to fit in at second base, forcing a whole transform of the Phillies infield. That’s regardless of not making any strikes. In that transform of the infield, Harper goes to be moved to the outfield, which ought to hopefully deal with a few of these outfield woes whereas bringing in a reliable hitter to the infield.
On high of that, the Phillies introduced in Caleb Kilian and Brooks Raley. That ought to enhance a bullpen that has struggled this season. Add in Thomas, and there’s a imaginative and prescient for the long run there.
Nonetheless, Dave Dombrowski goes to even be criticized for what they didn’t do. They didn’t usher in one other beginning pitcher. They didn’t add extra to the bullpen. Maybe most significantly, they didn’t discover a right-handed bat.
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