Matthew Kevin Thaiss Bio
Matthew Kevin Thaiss is an American professional baseball catcher who has played at the Major League Baseball level since 2019. He was drafted in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels with the 16th overall pick after a standout career at the University of Virginia. Thaiss made his MLB debut in July 2019 and has since appeared in parts of seven major league seasons with three franchises. He most recently played for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays during the 2025 season before electing free agency.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Kevin Thaiss was born on May 6, 1995. He grew up in Jackson Township, New Jersey, where he attended Jackson Memorial High School. During his high school baseball career, Thaiss established himself as a talented hitter, posting a batting average of .343 along with 17 home runs and 70 runs batted in. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from Major League Baseball scouts.
Following his high school graduation, Thaiss was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 32nd round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Rather than signing with Boston, he chose to attend the University of Virginia to continue his baseball development and pursue higher education.
Path to Professional Baseball
At the University of Virginia, Thaiss played for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball program beginning in 2014 as a freshman. He appeared in 26 games with 16 starts at designated hitter, recording a batting average of .265 with seven runs batted in. His sophomore season in 2015 marked a significant breakthrough, as he started 67 of 68 games and improved his offensive output dramatically, hitting .323 with an on-base percentage of .413 and a slugging percentage of .552. He added ten home runs and 64 runs batted in that season.
Thaiss spent the summer of 2015 playing for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate leagues for college players. His final collegiate season in 2016 proved to be exceptional, as he posted a .375 batting average with a .473 on-base percentage and .578 slugging percentage, complementing ten home runs in 60 games. This dominant performance cemented his status as one of the top prospects in college baseball and led to his selection in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Career
Minor League Development (2016–2019)
After being drafted by the Los Angeles Angels with the 16th overall pick in 2016, Thaiss signed his contract and began his professional career in rookie-level leagues. He started with the Orem Owlz in the Pioneer League, where he impressed immediately by batting .338 with two home runs and 12 runs batted in across 15 games. He earned a promotion to the Burlington Bees in the Midwest League, where he continued his strong play by hitting .276 with four home runs, 31 runs batted in, and a .778 OPS in 52 games. His performance earned recognition as the Angels’ top prospect at the end of the 2016 season.
Thaiss spent the 2017 season splitting time between the Inland Empire 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, combining to hit .274 with nine home runs and 73 runs batted in across 133 games. The following year in 2018, he played for both Mobile and the Salt Lake Bees, compiling a .280 batting average with a .335 on-base percentage and .467 slugging percentage, adding 16 home runs and 76 runs batted in over 125 total games. He began the 2019 season with Salt Lake before earning his promotion to the major leagues.
Los Angeles Angels Breakthrough (2019–2024)
On July 3, 2019, the Los Angeles Angels selected Thaiss’ contract from Salt Lake and promoted him to the major league roster. He made his MLB debut that same evening against the Texas Rangers, and he made an immediate impact by hitting a double in his first major league at-bat off pitcher Ariel Jurado. Originally a catcher coming into professional baseball, Thaiss had been converted to play first base and third base during his minor league development. He appeared in 53 games during his rookie season, hitting .211 with eight home runs.
Thaiss saw limited action in the shortened 2020 season, appearing in just eight games and going 3-for-21 at the plate with one home run. In 2021, the Angels made the decision to have Thaiss return to playing catcher, reflecting his original position and allowing him to utilize his defensive skills behind the plate. He continued to serve as a catching option for the organization in the seasons that followed.
During his final season with the Angels in 2024, Thaiss played in 57 games while slashing .204/.323/.299 with two home runs, 16 runs batted in, and three stolen bases. On November 14, 2024, the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment, ending his tenure with the organization that had drafted and developed him.
Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays (2025)
On November 20, 2024, the Angels traded Thaiss to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. Less than a month later on December 17, 2024, the Cubs flipped him to the Chicago White Sox in another cash transaction. Thaiss joined the White Sox for the 2025 season and appeared in 35 games with the club, batting .212 with an on-base percentage of .382 and a slugging percentage of .294. He hit one home run, drove in eight runs, and recorded one stolen base during his time in Chicago.
On May 27, 2025, the White Sox traded Thaiss to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league prospect Dru Baker. He appeared in 25 games for Tampa Bay, posting a slash line of .225/.304/.282 with eight runs batted in. The Rays designated Thaiss for assignment on August 1, 2025. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Durham Bulls on August 4. Thaiss elected free agency on September 30, 2025.
Defensive Versatility and Position Flexibility
Throughout his professional career, Thaiss has demonstrated versatility across multiple defensive positions. Originally drafted and developed as a catcher, he expanded his defensive profile by playing first base and third base during his minor league years. The Angels later transitioned him back to catching in 2021, providing him with the ability to serve in various roles depending on team needs. This positional flexibility has allowed Thaiss to find opportunities at the major league level despite a competitive catching market.
Notable Career Moments
Thaiss’ most memorable moment came during his MLB debut on July 3, 2019, when he collected his first major league hit by drilling a double off Texas Rangers pitcher Ariel Jurado. Being drafted 16th overall in 2016 represented another significant milestone, validating his development path from Jackson Memorial High School through the University of Virginia. His selection as the Angels’ top prospect following his first professional season demonstrated the high expectations organizations placed on his offensive potential.
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Career Statistics
Through the completion of the 2025 MLB season, Thaiss has accumulated offensive statistics across six major league seasons with three franchises. His career numbers reflect a player who has contributed solid depth at the catching position while providing positional flexibility.
MLB Career Totals
Across his MLB career spanning 2019 through 2025, Thaiss has posted a career batting average of .210 with 23 home runs and 95 runs batted in. He has appeared in games with the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays, serving in both starting and reserve roles throughout his major league tenure.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Thaiss split time between two organizations. With the Chicago White Sox, he appeared in 35 games and posted a .212 batting average with a notably strong .382 on-base percentage. His power numbers were limited with one home run and eight RBIs. After being acquired by Tampa Bay in late May, he appeared in 25 games for the Rays and hit .225 with eight RBIs. The trade to Tampa Bay provided him with an opportunity to contribute to a Rays team known for developing versatile players.
| Season | Team | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Los Angeles Angels | 53 | 118 | 25 | 8 | 25 | .211 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Angels | 8 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .143 |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Angels | 36 | 101 | 21 | 3 | 15 | .208 |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Angels | 48 | 141 | 26 | 4 | 19 | .184 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Angels | 60 | 168 | 37 | 5 | 18 | .220 |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Angels | 57 | 108 | 22 | 2 | 16 | .204 |
| 2025 | Chicago White Sox/Tampa Bay Rays | 60 | 165 | 36 | 1 | 16 | .218 |
Matthew Kevin Thaiss Personal Life
Education and Development
Thaiss’ path through the baseball ranks reflects a commitment to both athletics and academics. After graduating from Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson Township, New Jersey, he chose to continue his baseball career at the University of Virginia rather than signing with the Boston Red Sox following the 2013 MLB Draft. At Virginia, he developed into a premier college player under the guidance of the Virginia Cavaliers coaching staff, setting the foundation for his professional career.
Professional Journey
Now entering his seventh season since making his MLB debut in 2019, Thaiss has established himself as a reliable depth player at the catcher position with major league experience across multiple organizations. His ability to play multiple positions, including catcher, first base, and third base, provides him with value on major league rosters seeking versatile players. Following the 2025 season, Thaiss elected free agency, maintaining his availability for teams seeking experienced catching depth heading into the 2026 campaign.