Former Cincinnati Reds | 2-Time UCF D-1 All-American
Rylan
Thomas
Former professional baseball player turned elite hitting instructor. Top Cincinnati Reds prospect, 2-time UCF D-1 All-American, now bridging the gap from youth hitters through high school, D-1 and professional baseball.
About Rylan
Born and raised in Central Florida, Rylan Thomas established himself as one of collegiate baseball's premier offensive talents through an uncompromising work ethic and elite competitive drive. A dynamic right-handed infielder and pitcher, Rylan paired elite bat speed and exceptional power to all fields with a highly disciplined plate approach, complementing his skillset with a 95-mph fastball on the mound.
Following an acclaimed youth career including Perfect Game, Rylan committed to the University of Central Florida after his freshman year of high school, competing locally for West Orange High School and Windermere Prep. Drafted out of high school in 2016 by the New York Mets, he turned down 8th-round money to stay local and play for the UCF Knights.
Over two explosive All-American seasons at UCF, Rylan rewrote the university's offensive record books and solidified his status as a premier draft prospect. In 2018, as a draft eligible sophomore, he received and declined 5th and 6th round offers from the Red Sox and New York Mets with the intention of returning to UCF for his junior season. The Cincinnati Reds, however, selected him in the later rounds, successfully signing him to a higher value above slot contract.
Rylan made an immediate impact in his debut professional season with the Greeneville Reds, earning Appalachian League Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors. He quickly climbed into the top 20 prospect rankings within the Reds organization and was projected to reach the Major Leagues by 2021.
While an initial-season career-ending lower back injury ultimately halted his on-field trajectory, Rylan's career remains defined by high-level execution under pressure. He has since dedicated his career to teaching and mentoring the next generation of hitters, bringing his elite professional and collegiate experience directly to developing players to help them achieve their goals.
Position
INF / P
Bats / Throws
R / R
Fastball
95 mph
Hometown
Central Florida
Career Numbers
All levels combined (237 games)
.322
College BA
47
Home Runs
194
RBI
.923
OPS
| Year | Team | Level | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UCF | NCAA | 59 | 234 | 71 | 14 | 53 | .303 | .359 | .530 | .889 |
| 2017 | Lakeshore | Summer | 58 | 223 | 70 | 10 | 51 | .314 | .395 | .520 | .915 |
| 2018 | UCF | NCAA | 56 | 213 | 73 | 13 | 55 | .343 | .447 | .587 | 1.034 |
| 2018 | Greeneville Reds | Rookie | 55 | 179 | 46 | 10 | 33 | .257 | .400 | .492 | .892 |
Honors & Awards
Career Timeline
Windermere Prep
Three-time First Team All-District. Committed to UCF. Drafted by the New York Mets in the 26th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
UCF Freshman Season
Set UCF freshman record with 14 home runs. Named Freshman All-American by 5 organizations. AAC Rookie Position Player of the Year. Team MVP of the Lakeshore Chinooks (Northwoods League).
UCF Sophomore / Draft Year
Named AAC Preseason Player of the Year. Hit .343/.447/.587 with 13 HR and 55 RBI. Set UCF & AAC single-season on-base streak record at 47 games. Earned First Team All-Conference and Midseason All-America honors.
Cape Cod League (Chatham Anglers)
Selected to play in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League — widely considered the top summer collegiate wood-bat league in the country. Played alongside future MLB stars including Spencer Torkelson and Shea Langeliers.
Drafted by Cincinnati Reds
Selected in the 26th round (769th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft. Signed for $290,000. Assigned to the Greeneville Reds (Appalachian League).
Greeneville Reds (Rookie Ball)
Named Appalachian League Player of the Month (July) and Player of the Week. Recorded the highest OPS in all of professional baseball (MLB + MiLB) during July 2018. Slashed .257/.400/.492 with 10 HR and 33 RBI across 55 games.
Dayton Dragons / AZL Reds
Assigned to Dayton Dragons (Single-A). Dealt with injuries and completed rehab assignment with AZL Reds.
Hitting Instructor
Transitioned to professional hitting instruction and mentoring the next generation of hitters. Brings elite professional and collegiate experience directly to developing players, bridging the gap from youth through high school, D-1 and professional baseball.
Hitting Instruction
Professional-level batting lessons and hitting development for players of all ages and skill levels.
Swing Mechanics
Detailed hitting instruction focused on bat path, contact point, and power generation. Rebuild and refine your swing from the ground up.
Exit Velocity
Data-driven batting training focused on increasing exit velocity through technique refinement and physical development.
Game-Ready Hitting
Complete hitting development — mental approach, pitch recognition, and situational hitting to translate batting practice into game performance.
Why Train With Rylan
Not every hitting instructor has been in the box against professional pitching. Rylan brings real playing experience to every lesson.
Pro-Level Experience
Rylan played in the Cincinnati Reds organization and at the highest level of college baseball (NCAA D1). You learn from someone who lived it.
Data-Driven Results
Every session uses measurable metrics — exit velocity, launch angle, bat speed — so you can track real progress over time.
All Ages & Levels
From youth players just learning to hit to college athletes looking for an edge, Rylan tailors each lesson to your specific goals.
Proven Track Record
A career .302 hitter with 47 home runs and a .923 OPS across college and pro ball. Rylan teaches what actually works at elite levels.
Built on Real Experience
Training Philosophy
Rylan's elite-level hitting instruction bridges the gap from younger hitters through high school, D-1 and professional baseball.
Youth to High School
The Physical Engine
Focuses on Grip, Stance, Slot, Foundation, and Bat Path. This phase builds proper muscle memory, feel, self-correction and physical efficiency to handle increasing velocity and higher-level pitching.
College to Professional
The Mental Mastery
Focuses on Approach, Plate Discipline and Pitch Recognition. This layer trains the eyes and brain to make split-second decisions recognizing and adjusting to fastball and off-speed pitches.
All Levels
The Competitive Standard
Driven by a lifelong Commitment to Improve. This component implements rigorous daily training routines, including reps and the psychological resilience needed to succeed under pressure.
What to Expect
Every hitting lesson follows a structured approach designed to maximize your time and development.
Assessment
We start by evaluating your current swing, identifying strengths and areas to improve. Every hitter is different.
Drill Work
Targeted drills designed to correct specific mechanical issues and build better movement patterns.
Live Reps
Put it all together with live hitting — cage work, front toss, machine work, and situational at-bats.
Review & Plan
Go over what we worked on, review video, and outline what to practice before the next session.
Focused development in every session
Frequently Asked
What ages do you work with?
I work with hitters of all ages — from youth players (8+) developing fundamentals to college and adult players looking to sharpen their approach.
How long is a typical hitting lesson?
Sessions are typically 30 or 60 minutes. The right length depends on your age, experience level, and training goals.
Where do lessons take place?
Hitting lessons take place at Ballplex, a top-tier indoor training facility. Book your session through the reservation link on this page.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
Bring your bat and helmet if you have them. Balls, tees, and other training equipment are provided at the facility.
How often should I take hitting lessons?
Most players see the best results with weekly lessons. This gives enough time to practice between sessions while maintaining momentum.
Do you offer group hitting sessions?
Yes — small group batting lessons (2-4 players) are available at a reduced per-player rate. Great for teammates or siblings training together.
In Action
Scouting Reports
"Thomas has easy 70 plus-grade raw power to all fields... consistently put up big exit velocity numbers. He improved across the board during his draft-eligible sophomore season."— Baseball America
"Strong athletic build with present strength in body. Short swing with quick hands. Gets barrel to ball and gets extended to contact. Found barrel consistently. Has present strength in swing — ball carried well and flashed plus pull power potential."— Perfect Game National Showcase (Grade: 10)
Media & Videos
2016 MLB Draft: Rylan Thomas
Rylan Thomas is selected by the New York Mets out of Windermere Prep in the 2016 MLB Draft.
UCF Walk-Off Homer vs Wagner (2018)
Rylan Thomas crushes a walk-off 3-run homer in the 9th to lift #23 UCF over Wagner, 6-3.
Appy League Player of the Month (July 2018)
MiLB announces Rylan Thomas as Appalachian League Player of the Month after a dominant July with the Greeneville Reds.
UCF Shocking Series Win (2018)
Rylan Thomas helps #23 UCF clinch a dramatic series victory with clutch hitting down the stretch.
Rylan Rewarded — UCF News Feature
UCF Athletics profiles Rylan Thomas after a record-breaking freshman campaign and five All-American selections.
Baseball America Scouting Report
Full scouting breakdown of Rylan Thomas — 70 plus-grade raw power to all fields, bat speed metrics, and MLB Draft analysis.
Press & Articles
Rylan Thomas Making Himself at Home as Freshman for UCF
UCF Baseball Returns to NCAA Regionals
2018 Preseason Top 25: #22 UCF — Returner to Know: Rylan Thomas
Local Ties Piling Up with MLB's Cincinnati Reds
UCF Baseball All-Time Division 1 Team — 1B: Rylan Thomas
UCF 2018 Baseball Media Guide (PDF)
Get In Touch
Interested in hitting lessons, batting instruction, or training inquiries? Book a session or reach out through social media.