Matt Thaiss

Matt Thaiss: biography

Matt Thaiss is an American professional baseball player who currently serves as a catcher for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019, representing a significant milestone in his career.

Childhood and youth

Matt Thais, whose full name is Matthew Kevin Thaiss, was born on May 6, 1995, in Jackson, New Jersey, USA. Growing up, Thaiss developed a love for baseball at a young age. He began playing the sport in local leagues and displayed considerable talent and dedication from an early age.

During his high school years, Thaiss attended Jackson Memorial High School, where he continued to excel on the baseball field. He emerged as one of the top high school prospects in New Jersey, impressing scouts with his hitting ability and overall skills as a player.

After graduating from high school, Thaiss took his baseball career to the next level by accepting a scholarship to play college baseball at the University of Virginia. He joined the Cavaliers baseball team and quickly made an impact. Thaiss had a standout collegiate career, showcasing his power-hitting abilities and solid defensive skills as a first baseman.

His success at the collegiate level led to him being selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. This marked a significant milestone in Thaiss's career, as he embarked on his journey in professional baseball.

Throughout his childhood and youth, Thaiss's passion, talent, and hard work paved the way for his development as a professional baseball player. His early experiences in local leagues, high school, and college played a crucial role in shaping him into the player he became.

Baseball career

Matt Thaiss has had a notable baseball career, progressing from his college years to the professional ranks. After signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Matt Thaiss began his professional baseball journey with the Orem Owlz. He had an impressive start, batting .338 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in just 15 games. This performance earned him a promotion to the Burlington Bees, where he finished the season with a .276 batting average, four home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .778 OPS in 52 games. Thaiss's notable progress led to him being ranked as the Angels' top prospect at the end of the 2016 season.

In 2017, Thaiss split his time between the Inland Empire 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, collectively hitting .274 with nine home runs and 73 RBIs in 133 games. The following year, he played for Mobile and the Salt Lake Bees, combining for a .280 batting average, along with 16 home runs and 76 RBIs in 125 games.

In 2019, Thaiss returned to the Salt Lake Bees before receiving a call-up to the major leagues on July 3. He made his MLB debut that same night and achieved a double in his first at-bat against Ariel Jurado of the Texas Rangers. Throughout the season, Thaiss appeared in 53 games, hitting .211 with eight home runs.

In the shortened 2020 season, Thaiss had a limited number of at-bats, going 3-for-21 with one home run in eight games, resulting in a .143/.280/.286 batting line.

The Angels decided to utilize Thaiss as a catcher again in the 2021 season, allowing him to return to his original position. Further details about his performance and any subsequent developments in his career beyond my knowledge cutoff in September 2021 would require referring to official MLB sources or reliable sports news outlets.

Personal life

As of 2023, Thaiss has maintained a relatively private personal life, with minimal details about his family, relationships, or personal interests being publicly disclosed. Like many athletes, he likely prefers to keep his personal matters out of the public eye and maintain a focus on his professional endeavors.It’s not known if he is currently in a relationship or not.

Fans and followers of Matt Thaiss are encouraged to appreciate and support his baseball career while understanding that personal matters are typically kept private unless the individual chooses to share them publicly.