Get to Know Minnesota Twins 2024 Draft Pick: Jay Thomason

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins have had success developing pitchers from later rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. Taken in the 17th round out of the Air Force Academy, Jay Thomason is looking to become a success story on the infield.

Image courtesy of Thiéres Rabelo

 

When the Minnesota Twins took Jay Thomason in the 17th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, they grabbed a slugger with some extreme pop. Thomason has spent the past four years playing for Air Force, and as a regular each of the past three, he posted OPSes north of 1.000 each year. Thomason blasted 21 home runs in both 2023 and 2024, and will look to bring that hitting prowess to professional baseball.

Attending Air Force Academy is about more than just sports, and Thomason joins Griffin Jax among notable Twins to go through the university. Jax is a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserves, and Thomason could put a pause on his future plans with a similar baseball trajectory.

Before he kicked off his time down in Fort Myers, I caught up with him for a few questions.

Twins Daily: You’ve had an incredibly strong collegiate career, but achieved new heights this last season. How did you get there and what went into your development?

Jay Thomason: My career was full of ups and downs, and a lot of figuring it out along the way. I wouldn’t have had the career that I had without my teammates, coaches, and ultimately Coach Kaz (my second dad) supporting me throughout my entire time at the Academy. Additionally, simply showing up every day and putting in the work and trusting my routine over the course of four years at the Academy helped me develop into the player that I am today.

TD: You have shown power for a while now. How would you describe your approach at the plate and what goes into your process?

JT: My time in the weight room over the course of four years at the Academy definitely helped my power at the plate. My approach is simple, because I don't like to think mechanics at the plate. I'm simply just trying to catch the ball out front. Get a good pitch to hit and catch it out front are my two cues at the plate.

TD: Playing at Air Force is obviously more than just baseball. How did that contribute to your college experience and what does that influence going forward?

JT: I went through a lot of trials and tribulations while at Air Force that helped shape me into the human being that I am today. I am looking forward to just focusing on baseball now that I have the opportunity to do that. At Air Force, you are juggling military, school, and athletics at the same time and trying to excel at each of those things. The Academy has helped me develop resilience and grit over time, which has also helped me on the field.

TD: There’s clearly an element of speed to your game as well. How would you describe your ability as a third baseman?

JT: I do try to and implement speed into my game. I try and steal bases as much as I can and create chaos within the game, because it puts pressure on the other team. I’m looking forward to further developing my ability at third base. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get to the next level. Whether the organization wants me at third, second, or anywhere on the diamond, I just want to help the Twins win in any way I can.

TD: What do you know about the Twins as an organization and Minnesota in general?

JT: I have played in U.S. Bank stadium as a sophomore, when we played the Golden Gophers in March during the 2022 season. It was probably -15 degrees, so didn’t roam around too much. But from what I saw, Minneapolis was a really cool place and the people that I met were awesome. So far, I have loved my short time being in the Twins organization. They really care about their people and I am fully bought into the process that they have for prospects to make it to the next level.

TD: How do you relax or reset to get away from the game? What do you like to do for fun?

JT: I love anything fitness-related during my free time. Whether that be working out or really anything outdoors. I also love going any type of fishing.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Jay!

 

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[DocBauer]

I still can't understand this pick. I know Air Force isn't a baseball powerhouse, nor is the Mountain West, but Thomason put up tremendous numbers for 3 years with an OPS over 1.000 each season, and got better each consecutive year. He appears to have HIT ability to go along with power and decent speed, and he lasts until the 17th round?

Pure potential alone I would have thought he would have been more like a early teens selection. Is there some fear he won't be allowed to pursue his baseball career?

He's one of my favorite picks because of intriguing potential/steal factor.

[Twinsrtheworst]

Had the awsome opportunity to meet him at The Complex.  Another high character guy and great personality.  Praying for the best for this young man.

[Dman]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I still can't understand this pick. I know Air Force isn't a baseball powerhouse, nor is the Mountain West, but Thomason put up tremendous numbers for 3 years with an OPS over 1.000 each season, and got better each consecutive year. He appears to have HIT ability to go along with power and decent speed, and he lasts until the 17th round?

Pure potential alone I would have thought he would have been more like a early teens selection. Is there some fear he won't be allowed to pursue his baseball career?

He's one of my favorite picks because of intriguing potential/steal factor.

Yeah I Liked the Thomason pick and the Carr pick.  Senior signs just don't get much love in the draft.  If he has the Griffen Jax mentality he'll do just fine.  Looking forward to see what he can do. 

[Ted Schwerzler]

20 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Pure potential alone I would have thought he would have been more like a early teens selection. Is there some fear he won't be allowed to pursue his baseball career?

He's one of my favorite picks because of intriguing potential/steal factor.

I thought much of the same. Thomasson did already sign and is down in Fort Myers, so he shouldn't be stopped that way either.