great story about one of the picks
Red Sox Select Roswell's Thomas
For Roswell High School’s Derrick Thomas, June 11 was a thrilling day, in more ways then one...
Roswell right fielder Derrick Thomas was taken by the Boston?Red Sox in last week’s MLB amateur draft.
by John Breech / STAFF
For Roswell High School’s Derrick Thomas, June 11 was a thrilling day, in more ways then one. Not only was Thomas selected in the 44th round of Major League Baseball’s annual amateur draft, but he was picked by his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox.
Derrick’s dad, Ed Thomas, says that Boston had his son on their radar, “In the weeks leading up to the draft, they said they would most likely draft him, but they weren’t sure when.”
The just-graduated Hornet right fielder had such a love affair with the Red Sox growing up that he only had one wish for his 16th birthday and it wasn’t a car. According to the elder Thomas, Derrick asked for one thing, “[Derrick] asked to go to Boston and see a game,” says Ed.
The baseball gods must have been smiling on Derrick’s lifetime affection for the team because when Derrick and his dad finally made it too Fenway Park on September 1, 2007, they were treated to a history-making performance. “[Red Sox pitcher] Clay Buchholz pitched a no-hitter that night in his second major league start, it was an amazing experience,” says Ed.
Buchholz’s no-no against the Orioles was only the 17th no-hitter in the team’s long and storied history. It was even more history-making because it was only the third time since 1900 that a pitcher threw a no-hitter in his first or second start. Only the Thomas’ and 36,800 others were able to witness the incredible feat.
Derrick is currently committed to continue his baseball career at Memphis, but the appeal of playing in the Red Sox organization is weighing heavily on him. Right now Derrick is “undecided” about what he wants to do with his baseball future; head to the minor leagues or head to Memphis.
He plans to make his decision when he returns from the Sun Belt Classic, a national tournament featuring some of the best summer baseball teams in the country. Derrick will be apart of Team Georgia at the tournament, which is being played June 20-28 in Oklahoma.
If Derrick decides to stay in school, the Red Sox will lose his rights. Thomas would then be at Memphis until at least his junior year when he would once again be eligible for the draft.
Derrick credits his development to both Roswell coach Mike Power and his summer team coach Danny Pralgo.
Thomas finished his high school career on a high note as he missed the North Fulton triple crown by six RBI’s and one home run. He had the highest batting average in the area (.479), the second highest home run total (seven) and the fifth-highest RBI total (23).
