REVISED Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects for 2019

Rylan Thomas, 1B/3B

Birthday: 6/25/1997 (21)
Acquired: Draft, 23rd round, 2018
Level(s): advanced rookie Greeneville
Statistics: .257/.400/.492, 55 G, 225 PA, 12 2B, 10 HR, 18.2% BB, 21.8% K

I typically don’t highlight 26th-round picks in this spot, but Rylan Thomas is an exception. The Cincinnati Reds plucked Thomas in the 23rd round this past June out of Central Florida.

Thomas doesn’t fit the typical profile of a player to follow. He’s got some work to do if he wants to stick at third base, and with excellent defenders at the position in the system, that seems like a tough road anyway. However, Thomas also is under 6′ tall, so he’s not exactly ideal height for first base.

With an exceptional eye at the plate and a build that more resembles a football player with the muscle build throughout his frame, Thomas may not be a high contact guy, but when he does contact balls, they go a long, long way.

The profile is not one that succeeds frequently, but with his exceptional eye at the plate and big power, Thomas could be t he exception to the rule, and if he can work hard on defense, he could feasibly work in a corner outfield spot as well, and that sort of defensive flexibility in the modern game along with big power will get you to the big leagues. Just ask Max Muncy!