If you didn’t know who Cody Thomas was before this week began, you most certainly do now.

For the second time in three days, the 25-year-old Colleyville, TX native and onetime Oklahoma Sooners backup quarterback who was selected by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft hit a clutch home run in the late innings of a Dodgers Spring Training game at Camelback Ranch – this one an absolute monster shot that nearly hit the building beyond the berm in very deep right field.

Then again, if you follow the Dodgers minor league teams, more specifically the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and/or the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, you know exactly who Cody Thomas is. He’s the guy that hit a combined 42 home runs between the two Dodgers affiliates in 2018 and 2019.

But to do what Thomas has done as a replacement outfielder in two major league Spring Training games in three days is unprecedented and borders on spectacular.

“[Just] trying to make the most out of my opportunities out here,” Thomas told SportsNet LA’s David Vassegh following Wednesday’s exciting come-from-behind 9-4 win over the Angeles of Anaheim. “At the end of this game we had a bunch of great ABs, a couple walks, and the clutch hit by Luke Raley out there.

“To get me up there, that was just the icing on the cake in reality,” Thomas humbly added. “But the guys before me, taking one AB at a time, and that’s the only reason I got up there in the end.”

Although there was no official distance measurement on how far Thomas’ home run traveled, it had to be every bit of 500 feet … or more.

Thomas and the other Dodgers minor leaguers are very well aware that their playing time in major league Spring Training games is both limited and special.

“There’s got to be a sense of urgency out here a little bit for us, usually coming off the bench, not getting too many ABs, too many opportunities,” Thomas said. “You’re just trying to make the most of every opportunity and play the game… we’re down, I guess it was tied, so just trying to help the team win.”

As you might expect, Thomas’ late-inning heroics have not gone unnoticed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

“I’ve been very impressed,” Roberts said, “Rick Honeycutt said it best: ‘He’s the Cactus Player of the Week.’ Couple homers, defense looks good, obviously athletic body, so it’s good to see guys like that.”

After five Spring Training games (with 28 remaining), Thomas’ two home runs currently lead the team, as do his five RBI. He is now 2-for-6 (.333), with two strikeouts. And though ‘It’s still early’ (as they say), his Spring Training slash line is a ridiculous .333 / .286 / 1.333 / 1.619.

We ALL know who Cody Thomas is now…

He’s the guy who is winning Spring Training.

Play Ball!

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