Drafted in the 12th round (365th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2010.
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Thomson has enjoyed an excellent season coming out of the bullpen, striking out 56 in 41 innings. While his fastball is not blazing at 89 mph, he moves it around the zone and throws strikes.
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Thomson went back and forth between starting and relieving in his first two years at San Diego before working as a reliever last spring and putting up a 3.38 ERA in 43 innings. After signing him for a bargain $7,500 as a 12th-round pick, the A's moved him back to the rotation during his pro debut, and he responded nicely. His fastball, which sat in the high 80s in the spring, began operating in the low 90s and touching 95 mph. His heater jumps on hitters, and he's able to command it to both sides of the strike zone. Thomson complements his fastball with a pair of solid pitches in his slurvy slider and changeup. He has limited experience with the changeup and is still developing a feel for it. Thomson has a simple delivery that he repeats well, enhancing his command. He's not afraid of contact and comes right after hitters. Thomson acquitted himself well in a spot start in high Class A at the end of the summer, striking out 10 over five shutout innings, and he could return there to open his first full pro season. More likely, he'll begin 2011 in low Class A.
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