Diamondbacks Designate Alek Thomas For Assignment, Promote Ryan Waldschmidt The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a significant roster adjustment by designating outfielder Alek Thomas for assignment and promoting top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt to the majors. The move, announced on Friday, marks the end of Thomas’ tenure with the team after four major league seasons and signals the Diamondbacks’ confidence in Waldschmidt’s potential to contribute immediately. Thomas, a former top prospect, will have five days to be traded or placed on outright waivers, while Waldschmidt, a 23-year-old outfielder, is set to take on a regular role in the outfield. Thomas, a second-round draft pick in 2018, rose to become one of the game’s most highly regarded outfield prospects. At his peak, he ranked as high as No. 18 on MLB.com’s rankings and No. 32 on Baseball America’s list. Despite his tools—highlighted by elite sprint speed and defensive prowess—Thomas struggled to translate his potential into consistent offensive production. Over four MLB seasons, he has never surpassed nine home runs or an 81 wRC+ (weighted on-base average). His 2023 season was particularly challenging, as he posted a .181/.222/.340 line with a 23% strikeout rate, far below league averages. The Diamondbacks, who rank 19th in runs scored and 22nd in home runs, cited his lack of offensive development as the reason for his release. Waldschmidt, a former No. 31 overall draft pick, has emerged as a standout in Triple-A Reno, where he slashed .289/.400/.477 with three homers, nine doubles, three triples, six steals, and a 12.2% walk rate. His 24.4% strikeout rate is a concern, but his plus raw power and above-average speed make him a valuable asset.#mlb #arizona_diamondbacks #alek_thomas #ryan_waldschmidt #triple_a_reno
