Thomas '11 is California Dreamin'
Moves Up to Highest 'A' League in Dodgers Organization
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALI.---Rider University graduate Mike Thomas '11 is enjoying an outstanding summer playing in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and recently moved up from the Midwest League to the California League.
The Dodgers recently traded several minor league prospects and the chain reaction reached Thomas in Midland, Michigan, where he was excelling for the Great Lake Loons.
Thomas recently went nine straight outings (10 innings) without allowing a run.
For the season Thomas owns an eye-popping 1.24 earned run average, appearing in 37 games. He has a 4-2 record and five saves. In 51 innings this season Thomas has 63 strike outs and 27 walks.
Now he moves up to the highest 'A' league in the organization, pitching for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League.
A two-time All-East selection who graduated magna cum laude with Bronc career records for victories and strikeouts, Thomas (Forest Hill, MD/Fallston) picked up his first save of the season on June 16 in a 7-4 win over the Lansing Lugnuts. He pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit.
At Rider Thomas was 29-12 with 286 strikeouts. Over his last two seasons the 6'2", 180 pound lefty was 18-6 with a 190 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched.
In 2011 Thomas was a First Team All-New Jersey and First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection after compiling a 9-3 record and a 2.34 earned run average.
In 2010 Thomas was the New Jersey and the MAAC Pitcher of the Year.
During his four seasons Rider made the four-team MAAC playoffs all four years and advanced to NCAA Regionals in Fullerton, California (2008) and Austin, Texas (2010).
Thomas was drafted in the 35th round in 2011.
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