The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired outfielder Alek Thomas, known for his exceptional defensive skills. This trade enhances the Dodgers' outfield depth significantly.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas (5) takes batting practice before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Alek Thomas now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alek Thomas is a superb defensive centerfielder
Alek Thomas has excellent speed.
But left-handed hitter Alek Thomas has not yet broken out offensively.
Thomasâ greatest skills are his superb centerfield defense, and his excellent speed in the outfield, and on the bases.
He just hasnât sustain a hit tool in the big leagues.
The Arizona Diamondbacks designated Thomas for assignment on May 8, 2026.
The Diamondbacks viewed rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt as a good option for a 26-man roster spot. They promoted the 23-year-old Waldschmidt after Thomas was designated for assignment.
On May 12, the Diamondbacks traded Thomas to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a division rival of Arizona.
The Diamondbacks received very young prospect outfielder, Jose Requena in return for Thomas.
Thomas comes from an excellent baseball background.
Thomasâ father Allen was a strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago White Sox.
Thomas also has a connection to Mexico, as his mother has roots in Sonora, and he still has family in Agua Prieta, Mexico.
Thomas, who turns 27 April 28, was a 2nd round pick of the Diamondbacks in 2018.
Alek Thomas played for the Arizona Diamondbacks before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alek Thomas plays as a centerfielder.
The Dodgers traded for Alek Thomas to strengthen their outfield with his superb defensive abilities.
Alek Thomas is expected to enhance the Dodgers' outfield depth and improve their defensive capabilities.
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas, left, celebrates a win against the Toronto Blue Jays with Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll after a baseball game, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Thomas was selected out of Chicagoâs Mount Carmel High School.
A three-sport star at Mt. Carmel, Thomas received a $1.2M signing bonus from the Dbacks. The bonus was above the Major League Baseball recommended value for his draft slot.
baseballbiographies.com said, âHis path from Mount Carmel High School to the MLBhighlights his talent and work ethic.â
An excellent athlete, Thomas committed to play baseball and football at Texas Christian University.
The Dodgers have initially assigned Thomas to the Arizona Complex League. After his initial time in that league, Thomas will likely be sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Thomas remains on the Dodgers 40-man roster. To make room for Thomas, the Dodgers designated outfielder Michael Siani for assignment.
It would not be an exaggeration to state that Thomas has Gold Glove capability in centerfield.
At the time he was drafted, Thomas profiled as an excellent potential hitter. He projected as a hitter capable of a high batting average, good contact, and emerging power.
But it has been defense that has kept Thomas a viable professional player.
Thomas gets a terrific jump on balls, tracking the ball immediately off the bat of the hitter. He isnât fooled very often.
On balls hit to the deepest part of the park in center field, Thomas tracks the ball, gets on his horse, and brings the ball out of the air.
Fearless in the field, Thomas has banged in to fences and walls with regularity when tracking down balls to the gap or to dead center.
If nothing else, Thomas will make a tremendous defensive replacement for the Dodgers in the future.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 21: Alek Thomas #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the dugout during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The White Sox defeated the Diamondbacks 11-5. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Offensively, Thomas has never really figured out major league pitching. He gets beaten often on him velocity fastballs. He is fooled often by breaking balls.
That said, Thomas has never had a sustained opportunity to be in a lineup on a daily basis, game in and game out, agains both left, and right-handed pitching.
At the time Thomas was designated for assignment by the Dbacks, he was still struggling at the plate. He was hitting .181/.222/.340/.563, with nine doubles, no triples, two home runs, and 10 RBIs in 100 plate appearances, covering 28 games. He stole four bases, without being caught.
si.com reports that the Dbacks are paying all of Thomasâ remaining $1.45M salary for the remainder of 2026.
In parts of five big league seasons, Thomas has a .230 batting average.
mlb.com said this after the Thomas trade: âThomas will always hold a spot in Dbacks lore thanks to his performance in their run to the World Series in 2023.â
newsday.com added their own commentary about Thomas and the 2023 World Series, saying, âThomas had his share of big moments with the Diamondbacks, particularly during the run to the 2023 World Series. He hit four homers during the postseason.â
The 2023 World Series was between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers signed Requena as a Venezuelan international free agent in January 2026.
Requena is 17-years-old.
Requena received a $375,000 signing bonus
A right-handed hitter, Requena is 6-3, 228 pounds.
Requena is said to have significant power upside, and a strong arm in the outfield.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added to their organizational outfield depth with their trade for Alek Thomas, an excellent defensive centerfielder.
Thomas was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks, basically because his offense continues to stall.
Arizona received young prospect outfielder Jose Requena in exchange for Thomas.
In due time, it seems Alek Thomas will find a role as a defensive specialist on the Los Angeles Dodgers 26-man roster.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com