Rockin' some Rylan

[RedlegJake]

Rylan Thomas. It's ok if you haven't heard of him....yet. After all he's a 26th round pick in 2018 and he plays on the first real step on the minor league ladder, Greeneville. So, there it is - a low pick on the lowest rookie team...so what? Well, for one thing about a 2to1 walk to strikeout rate (27 to 17) and 7 HRs in 75 ABs.

Add 4 doubles and a masher starts to come into focus. A disciplined masher not your free swinging from the heels at anything close wunderkind destined to crash as the pitching gets better.

Oh, sure, he is so far away, with so many adjustments and adjustments to the adjustments to make but you gotta admit - he's fun to watch. And thing is, scouting reports presaged his power, its not like the mash potential was unrecognized BUT he is the dreaded first base only profile and the bat didn't quite seem to overcome that. As too, the 6' 235 lb frame.

With the discipline, though, if it continues, I like his chances of advancing. The strikeouts will almost certainly increase but that's alright if the walk rate continues. The power seems legit so it may be a question of enough contact as pitchers get tougher in the coming levels.

Tempered expectations bc it is just Rookie ball after all but finding a Goldschmidt nugget in the lower pick rubble would sure be nice....

[BillDoran]

Rylan Thomas. It's ok if you haven't heard of him....yet. After all he's a 26th round pick in 2018 and he plays on the first real step on the minor league ladder, Greeneville. So, there it is - a low pick on the lowest rookie team...so what? Well, for one thing about a 2to1 walk to strikeout rate (27 to 17) and 7 HRs in 75 ABs.

Add 4 doubles and a masher starts to come into focus. A disciplined masher not your free swinging from the heels at anything close wunderkind destined to crash as the pitching gets better.

Oh, sure, he is so far away, with so many adjustments and adjustments to the adjustments to make but you gotta admit - he's fun to watch. And thing is, scouting reports presaged his power, its not like the mash potential was unrecognized BUT he is the dreaded first base only profile and the bat didn't quite seem to overcome that. As too, the 6' 235 lb frame.

With the discipline, though, if it continues, I like his chances of advancing. The strikeouts will almost certainly increase but that's alright if the walk rate continues. The power seems legit so it may be a question of enough contact as pitchers get tougher in the coming levels.

Tempered expectations bc it is just Rookie ball after all but finding a Goldschmidt nugget in the lower pick rubble would sure be nice....

Notably, Thomas got the sixth biggest signing bonus of the Reds's 2018 draft picks. So, there's something the front office likes in Thomas's game.

That said, he should put up serious numbers in Greeneville (and Billings). He was the conference preseason player of the year and broke the conference on-base streak (47 games in a row).

He only played two seasons of college ball and turned 21 a month ago. He played third base in college. Hope he can play there professionally as well. No matter, he profiles as a masher with a plan at the plate. Should be a fun one to watch progress.

[JaxRed]

He's rocking a mullet too.

I'd rather see him at first base. We have lots of 3rd baseman and no one at 1st in the minors.

[oneupper]

He could be ready for the when the (seemingly inevitable -not advocating for it) DH comes to the NL. Who knows?

[texasdave]

Rylan Thomas was named Appalachian League Hitter of the week: 526/.654/1.316, 6 G, 10-for-19, 3 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 3 K.

[dougdirt]

It's late. I'm not heading back to youtube for the link, but I uploaded some video of Rylan Thomas from the last few weeks for the article linked below.

http://redsminorleagues.com/2018/07/...mas-wins-potw/

[camisadelgolf]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/kile...l-chat-8-8-18/
From Kiley McDaniel's chat today:

Mountie Votto: Any of the low-minors Reds guys catch your eye so far? Rylan Thomas, Muriel Bautista, etc.?

Kiley McDaniel: I’m a Rylan Thomas fan, have seen him a lot the last few years. 70 raw power, plus arm and may not be just a 1B-only guy, but has some contact trouble against good stuff

[JustaFan]

the question in evaluating in that league is the pitching, or lack there of. looking at the scores league wise the major league teams were in collusion on the rookie pitchers who filled their rosters.