Bio
Tahnaj Thomas returns to Sioux City for a second season in 2026 after the native of the Bahamas was acquired via trade from the Milwaukee Milkmen on August 22 of last season. Thomas was a key piece in the Explorers late season push for the best record in the American Association and the eventual West Division crown in 2025. The right-hander went 1-0 in relief pitching in four games over 3.1 innings, surrendering one earned run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts. With Milwaukee, the hard-throwing right-hander appeared in 28 games last season for the Milkmen, making one start. Thomas posted a 5.23 ERA across 31 innings with Milwaukee, striking out 34 batters and walking 20. The Milkmen signed Thomas for the 2024 season, but he did not pitch for the team until the 2025 season.
Thomas was originally signed as a shortstop by the Cleveland Indians organization in 2016 as an international free agent. He made his professional debut in 2017 and transitioned fully to pitching during the season. Thomas was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 2018 where he spent five seasons, reaching Double-A in 2023. His last season in the Pirates system was in 2023 where he went 4-2 with Double-A Altoona in the Eastern League. Thomas would make 36 appearances and would record three saves in 44.2 innings before electing free agency in November of 2023. Thomas posted a 4.87 ERA with a 1.579 WHIP in 2023.
Thomas made his Double-A debut in 2022 where he posted a 3.02 ERA with 52 strikeouts and three saves in 50.1 innings. He made 36 appearances out of the Altoona Curve bullpen while making one start. Thomas was second on the team in relief appearances and finished with a 1.263 WHIP on the season. The body of work during the 2022 season earned Thomas an invite to the Arizona Fall League following the MiLB season, where he struck out 11 in 9.1 innings. Thomas spent the 2021 season with High-A Greensboro, finishing with 16 starts, the second highest on the club and striking out 62 batters over 60.2 innings.
In 2020 Thomas did not play as the MiLB season was shut down, but he made his first Pittsburgh farm system appearance in 2019 with Rookie Advanced Bristol. He worked 48.1 innings with a 3.17 ERA striking out 59 batters in 48.1 innings. Over his final six starts, Thomas dominated with a 1.86 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 29 frames, including a memorable outing where he hit 101 mph on the radar gun for the first time.
Thomas would spend the 2017 and 2018 season with the Cleveland Indians organization. He spent 2018 with the Indians in the Arizona League, pitching in 19.2 innings with 27 strikeouts in eight games. He would make six starts and finish with a 4.58 ERA with no record. In 2017, Thomas split time between Rookie stops in the Arizona League and the Dominican Summer League. He pitched a combined 16 games over 38.1 innings with 34 strikeouts, making 13 starts. He went 0-5 and finished with a 5.63 ERA for his rookie season.
The native of Freeport, Bahamas has also pitched on the international stage with Team Great Britian in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The righty pitched a shutout inning in Great Britian’s final qualifying opportunity against Spain. Thomas locked down Team Spain in the 10th inning and Great Britian would walk it off with former Gary SouthShore Railcats Alex Crosby delivering the go-ahead RBI.
Thomas’ path to professional baseball began in an unexpected moment of opportunity. In 2016, while playing shortstop for a Chicago-area team at a tournament in Jupiter, Florida, he volunteered to pitch in the final innings of a game when no one else stepped up. That impromptu bullpen session changed everything. His raw arm talent caught the attention of scouts, and by December, the Cleveland Indians signed him as an international free agent.
Originally signed as a shortstop, Thomas transitioned fully to pitching and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 2018. His breakout came in 2019 with Rookie Advanced Bristol, where he posted a 3.17 ERA and struck out 59 batters in 48.1 innings. Over his final six starts, he dominated with a 1.86 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 29 frames, including a memorable outing where he hit 101 mph on the radar gun for the first time.
His fastball routinely sits in the upper 90s and has touched triple digits, complemented by a developing slurve and changeup. Standing 6-foot-4 with a powerful frame and a relentless drive to improve, Thomas brings a dynamic presence to the Explorers’ rotation. His journey from the streets of the Bahamas to professional baseball is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and love for the game. With a fastball that can overpower hitters and a mindset built for growth, Thomas is poised to make a major impact in Sioux City.