| Ian Thomas | |
|---|---|
_May_22_2014.jpg) Thomas with the Atlanta Braves | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1987-04-20)April 20, 1987 (age 38) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| March 31, 2014, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 2015, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.97 |
| Strikeouts | 36 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Ian Drew Thomas (born April 20, 1987) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves andLos Angeles Dodgers.
Thomas is a graduate ofKellam High School.[1] He playedcollege baseball atLouisburg College andVirginia Commonwealth University. After going undrafted in the2009 Major League Baseball draft, he signed with theWinnipeg Goldeyes of theNorthern League.[2] In 2010, he was the Northern League Rookie Pitcher of the Year, after going 5–1 with a 1.64earned run average (ERA).[3] After three years with Winnipeg, he signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2012.[4][5]
In May 2012, he signed a minor league deal with theAtlanta Braves.[6] He appeared in 26 games, going 5–0 with a 3.15 ERA and 58strikeouts over 45innings. In 2013, he pitched for theMississippi Braves. He started 13 of 39 total games, finishing with a 2.76 ERA and 123 strikeouts over104+1⁄3 innings. Thomas was a nonroster invitee to 2014 Spring training with the Braves where he pitched 10.1 innings in 11 Spring training games for a 1–0 record, 2.61 ERA, 13 strikeouts, and a 1.16 WHIP. He was not expected to make the parent club, anticipating AAAGwinnett as his 2014 team. However, due to a rash of injuries to Braves' pitchers and an impressive Spring training run, Thomas was one of the final two players (along with fellow left-handed relieverRyan Buchter) named to the Atlanta Braves' Opening Day roster.[7] He was filling a relief role with the club.
On May 4, 2014, Thomas was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room forGavin Floyd, who was activated off the disabled list.[8] He was moved to the starting rotation in Gwinnett where he made one start, not allowing any runs in three innings and striking out five.[9] The Braves tasked the lefty with developing a slider to add to his arsenal, strengthening his value to the Braves when they need him again. On May 10, 2014, he was recalled to Atlanta to replaceJordan Walden, who was placed on the 15-day DL for a pulled hamstring. He was expected to remain with Atlanta until May 20.[9] He was optioned back to Gwinnett on May 31.[10] Thomas was invited to spring training in 2015, and reassigned to Gwinnett on March 9.[11] Thomas was recalled on April 21, a day afterAndrew McKirahan was suspended for eighty games.[12]
On May 27, 2015, he was traded to theLos Angeles Dodgers (withAlberto Callaspo,Eric Stults andJuan Jaime) in exchange forJuan Uribe andChris Withrow. The Dodgers assigned him to the AAAOklahoma City Dodgers.[13] He was recalled by the Dodgers on June 2 to serve as the designated "26th man" for a doubleheader that day.[14] He allowed four runs on five hits in three innings of work and was credited with the loss.[15] He returned to the team in September and appeared in nine total games for the Dodgers, with a 4.00 ERA.[16] In 14 games, with six starts, for Oklahoma City, he was 4–1 with a 5.74 ERA.[17] Thomas appeared in eight games for Oklahoma City in 2016, with two starts. He was 2–0 with a 1.42 ERA[17] However, he was shut down with a shoulder injury and spent much of the season on the disabled list. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on June 30, 2016, to make room for newly acquired pitcher,Bud Norris[18] and released a few days later, on July 3.[19]
On April 25, 2019, after several years out of professional baseball due to injuries, Thomas signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[20] He was released on July 28.