photo: Connor Thomas (Arizona Fall League)
St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Connor Thomas has been one of the best pitchers in the Arizona Fall League. That was reinforced by the 24-year-old’s selection as the prospect showcase’s Pitcher of the Week for Week 3 of the 2022 schedule, the period of October 17-22.
On Monday the 17th, relying on his sinker, slider and cutter mix, Thomas fanned 10 over four innings for the Salt River Rafters. It was the first time a starter in the Fall League has reached double digits in punchouts since 2014. Since 2005, only five others had struck out 10 or more batters in an AFL game.
Connor Thomas set a blistering pace on the mound for the Rafters in the @MLBazFallLeague.
The No. 24 #STLCards prospect fanned 10 in four frames, the circuit's first double-digit K game since 2014. pic.twitter.com/BU8rwq46fE
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 18, 2022
The Cardinals’ fifth round draft in 2019 from Georgia Tech has a 1.53 ERA, 24 strikeouts and four walks in 17 2/3 innings across four starts with the last-place Rafters (8-12). AFL hitters are batting just .224 against his offerings. Thomas’ ERA is fourth lowest in the league (9 IP minimum).
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