Baseball
Brett Thomas
- Title:
- Director of Player Development/Analytics
A former player and 2014 Oregon graduate, Brett Thomas is in his seventh season on Mark Wasikowski’s staff and his first as an assistant coach. He spent the first six years as the director of player development/analytics at Oregon. As an assistant coach, Thomas coaches the outfielders while assisting with the hitters and recruiting.
Oregon (2020-present)
While working in the analytics and player development role, Thomas served as a vital cog in helping Oregon win 198 games, an average of 39.6 per season, over the last five seasons following the COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign. During that span, UO’s wins and winning percentage (.667) rank in the top four among teams on the West Coast.
Oregon has advanced to postseason play in each of the last five years with the opportunity to make it six straight in 2026. During that span, the Ducks have won a conference title (2025 Big Ten Championship), a conference tournament championship (2023 Pac-12 Tournament) and two regional championships (2023 Vanderbilt Regional; 2024 Santa Barbara Regional) while also advancing to another regional final (2021 Eugene Regional).
During his tenure working with player development at Oregon, Thomas has worked with 12 of the top 22 highest-drafted position players in Oregon’s modern era history, including the top two. In the 2021 MLB Draft, Aaron Zavala became the first modern-era Duck position player picked in the first or second rounds when the Texas Rangers selected him in the second round with the 38th overall pick. Josh Kasevich joined Zavala as a second-round pick in 2022 when the Toronto Blue Jays picked him with the 60th overall selection.
Anthony Hall became the fifth-highest position player draft pick in 2022 when the New York Yankees selected him in the fourth round (130 overall) before falling to seventh after Sabin Ceballos moved into the four slot after the Atlanta Braves selected him in the third round (94 overall) of the 2023 draft and Mason Neville went to the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round (114 overall) of last year’s draft. Brennan Milone is the eighth highest going to the Oakland A’s in the sixth round (184 overall) in 2022. Colby Shade ranks as the 10th highest drafted Oregon position player after the Miami Marlins picked him in the ninth round (263 overall) in 2023, just before Rikuu Nishida became the 12th highest when the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 11th round (329 overall). Bennett Thompson is the 14th highest after being picked by the Cleveland Guardians in the 13th round (385 overall) in 2024, while Bryce Boettcher is now the 14th highest after he was selected 18 picks after Thompson in the 13th round (403 overall) by the Houston Astros. Jacob Walsh moved into the 16th slot after the Washington Nationals made him their 15th round selection (441 overall) in last year’s draft, while Anson Aroz is 22nd after going to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round (585 overall).
Including the 12 draft picks, Thomas has worked with 14 Ducks who have gone on to play professional baseball. Both Gabe Matthews and Kenyon Yovan signed free agent contracts with the Los Angeles Angels after finishing their collegiate careers.
Before Oregon
Thomas previously worked for Blast Motion, Inc., a sports technology company. He worked with over 100 collegiate, academy, and high school programs helping to implement and apply the company’s technology.
Playing Career
Thomas played for Oregon from 2011-13. During his three seasons, the Ducks won 127 games and advanced to the postseason twice, including a Super Regional appearance in 2012.
During the 2013 season, Thomas hit .317 with 28 RBI and was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 All-Conference selection. He also made the all-region team after Oregon won the 2012 Eugene Regional, going 5-for-13 with four RBI, including three RBI in the regional final against Austin Peay.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Thomas in the 21st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft and played two seasons in their organization.
Personal
Thomas and his wife, Meredith, have two sons (Jett and Baker).
Oregon (2020-present)
While working in the analytics and player development role, Thomas served as a vital cog in helping Oregon win 198 games, an average of 39.6 per season, over the last five seasons following the COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign. During that span, UO’s wins and winning percentage (.667) rank in the top four among teams on the West Coast.
Oregon has advanced to postseason play in each of the last five years with the opportunity to make it six straight in 2026. During that span, the Ducks have won a conference title (2025 Big Ten Championship), a conference tournament championship (2023 Pac-12 Tournament) and two regional championships (2023 Vanderbilt Regional; 2024 Santa Barbara Regional) while also advancing to another regional final (2021 Eugene Regional).
During his tenure working with player development at Oregon, Thomas has worked with 12 of the top 22 highest-drafted position players in Oregon’s modern era history, including the top two. In the 2021 MLB Draft, Aaron Zavala became the first modern-era Duck position player picked in the first or second rounds when the Texas Rangers selected him in the second round with the 38th overall pick. Josh Kasevich joined Zavala as a second-round pick in 2022 when the Toronto Blue Jays picked him with the 60th overall selection.
Anthony Hall became the fifth-highest position player draft pick in 2022 when the New York Yankees selected him in the fourth round (130 overall) before falling to seventh after Sabin Ceballos moved into the four slot after the Atlanta Braves selected him in the third round (94 overall) of the 2023 draft and Mason Neville went to the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round (114 overall) of last year’s draft. Brennan Milone is the eighth highest going to the Oakland A’s in the sixth round (184 overall) in 2022. Colby Shade ranks as the 10th highest drafted Oregon position player after the Miami Marlins picked him in the ninth round (263 overall) in 2023, just before Rikuu Nishida became the 12th highest when the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 11th round (329 overall). Bennett Thompson is the 14th highest after being picked by the Cleveland Guardians in the 13th round (385 overall) in 2024, while Bryce Boettcher is now the 14th highest after he was selected 18 picks after Thompson in the 13th round (403 overall) by the Houston Astros. Jacob Walsh moved into the 16th slot after the Washington Nationals made him their 15th round selection (441 overall) in last year’s draft, while Anson Aroz is 22nd after going to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round (585 overall).
Including the 12 draft picks, Thomas has worked with 14 Ducks who have gone on to play professional baseball. Both Gabe Matthews and Kenyon Yovan signed free agent contracts with the Los Angeles Angels after finishing their collegiate careers.
Before Oregon
Thomas previously worked for Blast Motion, Inc., a sports technology company. He worked with over 100 collegiate, academy, and high school programs helping to implement and apply the company’s technology.
Playing Career
Thomas played for Oregon from 2011-13. During his three seasons, the Ducks won 127 games and advanced to the postseason twice, including a Super Regional appearance in 2012.
During the 2013 season, Thomas hit .317 with 28 RBI and was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 All-Conference selection. He also made the all-region team after Oregon won the 2012 Eugene Regional, going 5-for-13 with four RBI, including three RBI in the regional final against Austin Peay.
The Seattle Mariners drafted Thomas in the 21st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft and played two seasons in their organization.
Personal
Thomas and his wife, Meredith, have two sons (Jett and Baker).
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