Meet Thomas Neal

Vice President of Firecrackers Leles Softball Organization & Organization College Liaison

Thomas Neal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Firecrackers Leles Softball Organization, where he serves as Vice President and Head College Liaison. Known for his great personality and natural coaching ability, Thomas inspires athletes to reach their full potential. He is well-connected with colleges across the country and plays a pivotal role in helping players navigate the recruiting process to achieve their college aspirations.

Drafted in the 36th round by the San Francisco Giants in 2005 out of Poway High School, Thomas chose to play one season at Riverside Community College under Hall of Fame coach Dennis Rogers before signing with the Giants in the summer of 2006.

Over the course of his career, Thomas played in 954 professional games, amassing 1,016 hits and finishing with an impressive .296 batting average. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2012 with the Cleveland Indians and also played for the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, his playing career ended in 2013 after a shoulder injury while playing for the Cubs.

Following his retirement, Thomas served as a hitting coach in the San Francisco Giants organization from 2016 to 2019, where he continued to develop and mentor talented players.

Championship Teams:

• Thomas was part of six championship teams, one at each level of the minor leagues:
• 2006: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Short Season)
• 2008: Augusta GreenJackets (Low A)
• 2009: San Jose Giants (High A)
• 2011: Columbus Clippers (Triple-A)
• 2012: Akron Aeros (Double-A)
• 2015: Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League)
• Organizational All-Star:
• 2009: San Francisco Giants
• 2012: Cleveland Indians
• 2013: New York Yankees
• MiLB All-Star Honors:
• Mid-Season All-Star:
• 2009 (San Jose, High A)
• 2010 (Richmond, Double A)
• 2012 (Akron, Double A)
• 2013 (Scranton, Triple A)
• Post-Season All-Star:
• 2009 (San Jose, High A)
• 2012 (Akron Aeros, Double A)
• Team MVP Awards:
• 2009 (San Jose)
• 2010 (Richmond)
• Historic 2009 Season:
• Thomas had one of the best single seasons in San Jose Giants history in 2009, with a .337 batting average, 22 home runs, 41 doubles, 90 RBIs, and 101 runs scored in 129 games.
• Prospect Recognition:
• After the 2009 season, Thomas was ranked the #4 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, alongside future MLB stars Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, and Zack Wheeler. He was also listed as #96 on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects.