2018 Mt. Carmel High School graduate Alek Thomas, whose dad was a 28-year strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago White Sox, was a big part of the Arizona Diamondbacks run to the 2023 World Series.
Thomas was drafted 63rd by the Diamondbacks in the 2018 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, and played part of the 2019 season for the Kane County Cougars.
After not playing a minor league game in 2020 due to the “COVID” season cancellations, he spent 2021 in the minor leagues before being called up to the Diamondbacks on May 8, 2022.
Thomas played for the United States in the 2017 Under-18 Baseball World Cup and for Mexico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
He has played in all 12 of the Diamondbacks 2023 postseason games. He has hit 4 home runs in the postseason, including a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the NLCS off Philadelphia Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel, who previously played for both the Chicago Cubs and White Sox.
The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies in 7 games during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) to advance to the World Series, where they will play the Texas Rangers.
Thomas’ father, Allen, was part of the team during the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series run, and wore his World Series ring to Game 7 of the NLCS.
Born April 28, 200 in Tucson, Arizona, Thomas has hit .230 with 17 home runs and 78 runs batted in during his MLB career.
