March 1st, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is simply no other explanation. Twenty-five-year-old Dodgers outfield prospect Cody Thomas is an alien.
No one of this world could possibly do what the Colleyville, TX native and 13-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2016 out of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK has done in his first 13 major league at-bats, Spring Training or otherwise.
Already tied for the team lead in home runs and RBI with fan-favorite utility infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernandez at two and five respectively, the former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback hit not one, but two home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Saturday afternoon.
…in the same inning!
In fact, Thomas’ one-out solo shot to right-center field in his first at-bat of the fifth inning and his two-out two-run blast to left field in the same frame alone would have been enough to beat the hapless Rockies in the eventual 14-2 rout. I mean, what mortal human does that, right?
“[Just] trying to make the most out of my opportunities out here,” Thomas said, after his second home run of the Spring three days earlier. “It was pretty cool. I’m just out there trying to do my job, man … making plays, having fun and play the game I know how, and that’s hard and with great focus every play.”
Lost in Thomas’ ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ (Google it, kids) was a three-run blast by Dodgers back-up catcher Austin Barnes in that 11-run fifth inning. It was Barnes’ first home run of the Spring to tie him with eight other Dodgers for third-most on the team at one each and puts him (them) one back of Hernandez, who doubled in that unworldly-like fifth inning.
Obviously, Thomas isn’t really an alien, he’s just that good … on both sides of the ball. And although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will have a very difficult decision as to who makes their Opening Day roster and who does not, they would be absolutely foolish not to give Thomas very serious consideration for that new 26th roster spot.
Play Ball!
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Love what Cody Thomas is doing, but a career .255 minor league average (albeit nice power) and has never played above AA, are against him. Factor in the fact that he would need to be added to the 40 man roster and there is zero chance he makes the Dodgers.
Nice little Spring story and even better that Thomas has made himself known, but will not get a roster spot imo.
That said, if there is somebody that should be considered for the 26th man, I say look at Luke Raley. Great minor league numbers, and is OPSing 1.000 this Spring. Also, he is already on the 40-man and can play 1b and both corner outfield positions. Problem is who does he replace. Probably Matt Beaty, who has been impressive himself. Nice problem to have.
Can’t argue or disagree with anything you are saying, Jim. Although it is extremely rare, occasionally one of ‘those guys’ comes along. It is absolutely much too soon to call Thomas one of ‘those guys,’ but he is definitely trending in the right direction.
A greater reason why Thomas will not make the OD roster is that there is simply no place to plug him in. With Betts, Belly, Pollock, Joc, Kiké, CT3, and Beaty all but guaranteed roster spots, there is indeed zero doubt that Thomas will begin the 2020 season at Triple-A OKC. Zero doubt.
Having watched Luke Raley at Rancho Cucamonga in 2017 when he was with the Dodgers the first time around, I fully concur that he is definitely now MLB ready and would love to see him break camp with the Big League club. But here again, there is no place to plug him in either. But as we all know, injuries happen and, as you noted, having guys like Raley, Thomas, McKinstry, Reks, etc., etc., is indeed a “Nice problem to have.” That being said, don’t be surprised if any or all of these guys play some role in the Dodgers winning the World Series in 2020.
That is also not counting Rios, who will be sent down most likely. Glad there is a 26 man roster this year. Geez, the Dodgers AAA could probably be more competitive than 25% of actual MLB teams!
Nice problems to have. Dodgers are stacked and one of the nicest things is that Dave has shown super ability to get players into the lineup and have them bo ok with it – well mostly. Not Puig and Maeda, ha ha.
Wow!!! Thomas sure is loooooking good.
hey guys we all kniw this sort of thing is not unusual. It’s the first week of ST…numbers mean nothing, no matter who the player is.
Let’s see in week three as teams start playing real MLB pitchers more.
I want to be super excited here because the guy looks really good. A season in OKC will help, then again just a month there may show he’s beyond ready… even still he sure looks like the FO & scouts found yet another treasure.