Colby Thomas: Power Bat with Potential, But What’s Next in Oakland?

The Oakland A’s have been in the middle of a rebuild for what feels like forever, but every now and then, a new name pops up that makes you wonder if the tide might finally be turning. One of those names? Colby Thomas.

Thomas made his long-awaited big league debut during the 2025 season, giving fans a glimpse of what could be a key piece of the next competitive A’s roster. While it was a limited sample size, the right-handed outfielder showed flashes of the power that’s made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the system. Now the question becomes: What role will he carve out for himself in 2026?

From Mercer to the Show

Thomas came to the A’s by way of Mercer University, where he built a reputation as a legitimate power threat. Oakland selected him in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, nabbing him 95th overall. He had originally committed to the University of Florida, but the A’s convinced him to sign, adding a much-needed impact bat to a farm system that had been light on high-upside position players.

There was some early uncertainty, though. Thomas was coming off a torn labrum in his shoulder when he joined the organization, which clouded his immediate outlook.

Still, the tools were there-plenty of pop in the bat, solid athleticism, and enough defensive ability to stick in a corner outfield spot. The big question was whether he could adjust to advanced pitching, especially breaking balls, and keep the strikeouts in check.

That’s a hurdle for a lot of young hitters, and Thomas was no exception.

Power on Display in the Minors

If there were concerns about the shoulder, Thomas erased them quickly. In his first full season in Single-A, he launched 18 home runs and earned a promotion to High-A.

The next year, he started mashing in Double-A and didn’t slow down after a quick jump to Triple-A. Across just 73 games at the highest level of the minors, he slugged 17 home runs-proof that the raw power was translating.

There was some chatter that he might get a cup of coffee in the big leagues at the end of 2024, but the A’s held off. That made 2025 the year he’d finally get his shot. With Lawrence Butler the only real long-term fixture in the outfield, there was a lane for Thomas to earn playing time if he could prove he was ready.

A Modest Debut in 2025

Thomas started the 2025 season back in Triple-A, and he kept doing what he does best-rake. Through the first half of the year, he slashed .291/.360/.529 with 18 home runs. Yes, it was in the hitter-friendly confines of Las Vegas, but those numbers still jump off the page.

He finally got the call on June 30, making his debut that night as a pinch-hitter. With the A’s out of playoff contention, the team gave him a mix of pinch-hit opportunities and the occasional start.

Like many rookies, he didn’t hit the ground running. His first big league homer didn’t come until more than a month into his debut, but once he got that first one out of the way, the power started to show up.

He ended the season with six home runs in 49 games, finishing with a .225/.267/.417 slash line.

Not eye-popping numbers, but also not a disaster-especially for a player getting his first taste of MLB pitching. It’s worth remembering: not every prospect comes up and turns into a star overnight.

What’s Ahead in 2026?

Thomas still ranks among the better outfield prospects in the A’s system, but his debut didn’t exactly scream “opening day starter.” With the outfield picture becoming more crowded, there’s no clear path to an everyday role right now.

However, his right-handed bat could be a useful weapon in a platoon situation, especially when the A’s face tough lefties. That could mean spot starts in place of left-handed hitters like Tyler Soderstrom or Butler.

There’s also a real chance he starts the year back in Triple-A. That wouldn’t be a setback-it’d be a chance to get regular at-bats, fine-tune his approach, and work on cutting down the strikeouts. The power is real, but if he wants to avoid getting tagged with the dreaded “Quadruple-A” label, he’ll need to show more consistency at the plate.

Final Thoughts

Thomas has the tools to be a contributor at the big league level. The power plays, and if he can make enough contact and improve his plate discipline, he could be a valuable piece in the A’s outfield rotation. 2026 will be a pivotal year in his development-not just for his place in Oakland, but for his long-term future in the majors.

The A’s need young talent to step up. If Thomas can take that next step, he might just be part of the solution.