The Seattle Mariners have officially lost outfielder Rhylan Thomas after he was claimed off waivers by the division-rival Houston Astros. The move was finalized on Saturday and adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between the two American League West clubs.
Seattle announced the transaction shortly after Houston submitted the successful waiver claim. Thomas had recently become available after the Mariners designated him for assignment in an effort to clear space on their 40-man roster. Once placed on waivers, other teams were given the opportunity to claim him, and the Astros quickly stepped in to add the young outfielder to their organization.
At 26 years old, Thomas is still trying to establish himself at the major league level. Although his time in the majors has been limited so far, he has shown flashes of potential throughout his development in the minor leagues. His MLB experience currently consists of only three games during the 2025 season, where he went 1-for-8 at the plate. Despite the small sample size, he managed to contribute with a double, two runs batted in, and a walk.
Thomas bats left-handed and offers some versatility as an outfielder, which likely appealed to Houston as they continue searching for additional organizational depth. While he is not expected to immediately step into a major role with the Astros, adding a player with his skill set gives the club another option in the upper levels of the minor league system.
Before reaching professional baseball, Thomas played college baseball at the University of Southern California. His performance there eventually led to him being selected by the New York Mets in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Since entering professional baseball, Thomas has steadily worked his way through the minors while trying to prove he can become a reliable contributor at higher levels.
This season, Thomas appeared in 31 games for Triple-A Tacoma, Seattle’s top minor league affiliate. During that stretch, he posted a .260 batting average while recording three doubles, two home runs, and six stolen bases. His ability to contribute in multiple ways offensively, along with his speed on the bases, has helped him remain a valuable depth piece despite not being viewed as a top prospect.
Across his entire minor league career, Thomas has produced a .756 OPS, which reflects steady but not elite production. Evaluators generally view him as a dependable player who can provide depth and versatility rather than a future star. Still, players with strong work ethic and consistent minor league numbers often find opportunities to carve out roles in the majors, especially with organizations looking to strengthen roster depth over the course of a long season.
For the Astros, the move represents a relatively low-risk addition. Houston continues to deal with the demands of a competitive season and understands the importance of having capable players available throughout the organization. Even if Thomas does not immediately impact the major league roster, he gives the club another experienced outfielder who can be called upon if injuries or roster changes occur later in the year.
Meanwhile, the Mariners move on after deciding Thomas no longer fit into their long-term roster plans. Still, it is notable that Seattle lost him to a direct division rival. Watching Thomas continue his career with Houston adds an interesting twist to the situation, particularly if he eventually finds success within the Astros organization after being let go by the Mariners.
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