Kaleb Thomas is strictly business when he steps on to the pitcher’s mound.
Showing tremendous poise, this 15 -year-old frustrates hitters by throwing fastballs, knuckleballs, knuckle curveballs and change ups. He is coming off quite a memorable 2019 winning season with the Ontario Rockies U-14 squad.
“We won our league championship and Game Day USA Michigan champions,” Thomas said about what truly was a magical summer. In listing more accomplishments, he also added, “Perfect Game Ohio silver medalist and Great Lake Canadians U14 silver medalist.”
Dominating on the mound, Thomas ended up last season throwing three no-hitters and in late August was selected to compete in New Jersey on the Fergie Jenkins all-star team comprised of top players from the league.
“I enjoy being involved in every play, facing top hitters and just going after them with the best I have,” Thomas said about being a pitcher. “Strikeouts are a bonus. I ended last season with three no-hitters. When you’re young on a team, everyone pitches, and because I could throw hard, I was always chosen to pitch.” Throwing smoke is what Thomas does best as his fastball was in the 80-85 mph range. “But I did hit 87,” he said.
Along with pitching Thomas also excels at shortstop, but he has also played all infield and outfield positions.
This season Thomas was supposed to play on the Ontario Rockies Boys of Summer U16 league out of New York State along with the Fergie Jenkins U17 league out of Ontario.
With the COVID-19 epidemic, nothing is certain in terms of the season. “Fergie League is postponed and hoping to start in July,” Thomas said. “Boys of Summer league usually starts in July so hopefully that league starts but I don’t know about border crossings. Tournaments all take place in the States. Our first tournament on Staten Island was cancelled. That is disappointing. Very disappointed the season is on hold but I’d rather stay safe.”
Thomas is a huge fan of Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw and when playing shortstop, likes to pattern his game after Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez who last year hit .281 with 29 homeruns and 85 R.B.I.’s.
Looking ahead to the future, Thomas would eventually like to compete in college baseball. “I am a Perfect Game nationality ranked shortstop,” Thomas said. “A highly ranked shortstop coming out of Ontario is considered a high follow for college scouts. Hopefully I get to play some games this summer or fall in order to be seen.”
Unfortunately for Thomas, high school baseball was cancelled this summer, which meant the Grade 10 student couldn’t help Assumption defend their Brant County championship.
All Thomas can do now is stay safe and wait to see if he can in fact play ball sometime this summer.
