Rider University graduate Mike Thomas Makes his AAA Debut
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
April 27, 2015 press release
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—Rider University graduate Mike Thomas made his AAA debut Sunday, pitching for the Oklahoma City Dodgers of the Pacific Coast League.
A 2011 graduate of Rider University, Thomas pitched three innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits in a 3-2 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Thomas got five ground ball outs and two fly outs. He threw 33 pitches, 22 for strikes, facing 10 batters.
Thomas has been selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League the last two autumns.
Thomas was called up from the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League, the AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A 6’2”, 185 pound lefty from Forest Hill, Maryland, Thomas was drafted in the 35th round in 2011. He has pitched in the California League (A), the Midwest league (A) and the Pioneer League (A) before moving up to AA Chattanooga in 2013.
At Rider, Thomas graduated magna cum laude with Bronc career records for victories (29) and strikeouts (286). Over his last two seasons at Rider Thomas was 18-6 with 190 strikeouts in 200 innings.
Thomas was twice a First Team All-New Jersey and First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection. In 2011 he was 9-3 with a 2.34 earned run average.
In his four years at Rider he led the Broncs to the four-team MAAC Championship Tournament all four years, winning MAAC Titles in 2008 and 2010. With Thomas on the mound Rider competed in two NCAA Regionals, at Cal State Fullerton and at the University of Texas.