Matthew Kevin Thaiss Bio
Matthew Kevin Thaiss is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. Thaiss made his MLB debut in 2019 and has shown versatility by playing multiple positions throughout his career. Known for his strong batting skills, he has made significant contributions to his teams over the years.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Kevin Thaiss was born on May 6, 1995. He attended Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson Township, New Jersey, where he excelled in baseball. During his high school career, Thaiss batted .343, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 70 runs batted in (RBI). His impressive performance caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to his selection in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. However, he chose to further his education and baseball career at the University of Virginia. At the University of Virginia, Thaiss played for the Virginia Cavaliers, where he continued to develop his skills. In his freshman year in 2014, he played in 26 games, starting 16 as a designated hitter, and recorded a batting average of .265 with seven RBIs. His sophomore year in 2015 was particularly notable, as he started 67 of 68 games and batted .323 with ten home runs and 64 RBIs. Thaiss also played in the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summer of 2015, further honing his abilities.
Path to Baseball
Thaiss’s strong collegiate performance led to his selection in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels, where he was picked 16th overall. After signing with the Angels, he was assigned to the Orem Owlz, where he quickly made an impact by batting .338 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in just 15 games. His success earned him a promotion to the Burlington Bees, where he continued to impress with a .276 batting average, four home runs, and 31 RBIs in 52 games. By the end of the 2016 season, Thaiss was ranked as the Angels’ top prospect. In 2017, he played for both the Inland Empire 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, achieving a combined batting average of .274 with nine home runs and 73 RBIs across 133 games. He continued to build on this success in 2018, slashing .280/.335/.467 with 16 home runs and 76 RBIs in 125 games between the Mobile BayBears and the Salt Lake Bees.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Career
Early Career (2019-2024)
Thaiss made his major league debut on July 3, 2019, after the Angels selected his contract. In his first at-bat, he hit a double against Ariel Jurado of the Texas Rangers. During his rookie season, he played in 53 games, finishing with a batting average of .211 and hitting eight home runs. In 2020, he faced challenges, managing only three hits in 21 at-bats, resulting in a batting line of .143/.280/.286 across eight games. In 2021, Thaiss returned to his original position as a catcher. He played in 57 games for the Angels in 2024, where he had a batting average of .204 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. However, on November 14, 2024, he was designated for assignment by the Angels, marking a turning point in his career.
Breakthrough (2025)
Following his time with the Angels, Thaiss was traded to the Chicago Cubs on November 20, 2024, in exchange for cash considerations. Shortly after, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox on December 17, 2024. In 2025, he made 35 appearances for the White Sox, batting .212 with one home run and eight RBIs. On May 27, 2025, Thaiss was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league prospect Dru Baker. He played in 25 games for the Rays, slashing .225/.304/.282 with eight RBIs. However, he was designated for assignment again on August 1, 2025, and subsequently cleared waivers, being sent outright to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on August 4. Thaiss elected free agency on September 30, 2025, marking the end of his tenure with the Rays.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Matthew Kevin Thaiss has established himself as a capable player in Major League Baseball. His ability to adapt to different positions and contribute offensively has been a hallmark of his playing style. He has accumulated 23 home runs and 95 RBIs in his MLB career, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset to any team.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Award Nominations
Matthew Kevin Thaiss has not received any major award nominations during his professional career thus far.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Awards Won
Matthew Kevin Thaiss has not won any major awards during his professional career thus far.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Family
There is limited public information available regarding Matthew Kevin Thaiss’s family background.
Personal Life
Details about Matthew Kevin Thaiss’s personal life, including marital status or children, are not publicly available.
