Aaron Thompson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #12 prospect in 2010
  After the Marlins signed him away from a commitment to Texas A&M with a $1.225 million bonus in 2005, Thompson progressed slowly but steadily through their system until 2008, when he missed two months with a minor shoulder injury. He returned to Double-A in 2009 and turned a corner after Jacksonville pitching coach Reid Cornelius taught him a cutter in mid-July. Four days after learning the pitch, he used it to rack up nine of his 10 strikeouts over six innings in his penultimate start as a member of the Florida organization. The Nationals acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline for first baseman Nick Johnson, and he posted a 3.31 ERA in six starts after the deal. At his best, Thompson shows a fastball that sits at 90-91 and touches 93 with good movement. He has good feel for a four-seamer, a two-seamer and a solid-average changeup in addition to his newfound cutter. His slurvy breaking ball is still a work in progress but shows sharp, hard break at times. At others, his breaking ball deserts him and his fastball velocity dips, so he must become more consistent. Thompson figures to start 2010 in Triple-A and could push for a job in Washington's rotation during the season. He projects as a No. 4 or 5 starter.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #13 prospect in 2009
  The Marlins selected Thompson 22nd overall in 2005, one pick ahead of Jacoby Ellsbury and three before Matt Garza. Thompson had been committed to Texas A&M, but when the Aggies changed coaching staffs, he opted to sign for $1.225 million. He has yet to justify that investment, though he has made steady progress. Thompson's changeup has been his best pitch for a while, though he lost his feel for it early last season. His fastball velocity has improved to the point where he pitches at 88-91 mph and touches 93. He has a solid curveball as well but must do a better job of maintaining his arm slot when he throws it. Though he's slow to the plate, he holds runners well and might have the best pickoff move in the system. He also does a good job of varying how long he waits to start his delivery to control the running game. A minor shoulder problem cost Thompson two months in 2008, and when the Marlins sent him to the Arizona Fall League for extra work, he tried relieving in hopes of getting to the majors sooner. He pitched well early in the AFL before tiring and getting hit hard late. Florida figures to send him back to Double-A as a starter this year.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2008
  Thompson signed with the Marlins for $1.225 million in 2005 after coaching upheaval at Texas A&M changed his mind about his college commitment. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was struck by his rare polish during predraft film sessions, at one point blurting out how much he looked like Whitey Ford. Part of a standout Jupiter rotation in 2007, Thompson more than held his own by comparison. His fastball sat at 88-91 mph and touched 93 mph, showing good run and effectiveness against righties. His changeup is among the best in the system, and both his curveball and slider show plus potential. He keeps the ball down, allowing just two home runs all season. He holds runners well and shows excellent poise. Thompson needs to do a better job of pitch selection, as he too often tries to make a perfect pitch or trick hitters rather than simply working the plate. He still overthrows at times as well, and he must do a better job of maintaining his arm slot on the curve. Thompson is pretty close to his ceiling as a No. 3 or 4 starter now. With a little experience at Double-A in 2008, he could be ready for a shot at the big leagues.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #7 prospect in 2007
  Thompson was considered a tough sign after committing to Texas A&M. The Aggies made his decision easier when they fired their coaching staff, and he turned pro for $1.225 million as part of the Marlins' 2005 draft. He has known former Marlin Kevin Millar since he was five, when Thompson's grandparents served as Millar's host family at Lamar University. Millar used to do cannonballs off the grandparents' roof into their swimming pool. As so many finesse lefties have been through the years, Thompson often draws comparisons to Tom Glavine. Thompson pitches at 88-90 mph with his fastball and also has an out-pitch slider, potential plus curveball and solidaverage changeup. He holds runners well, thinks his way through a lineup and demonstrates good savvy. On some nights, Thompson's fastball is a little short, but he could add more velocity as his body matures. He did touch 92 mph in high school. He could tighten up his curve, use his changeup a little more and polish his overall command. After handing low Class A with three other members of the Class of '05, Thompson will head to high Class A with them. He may be close to his ceiling but that shouldn't keep him from pushing for a big-league rotation spot as early as midseason 2008.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #10 prospect in 2006
  One of Thompson's biggest baseball influences has been Kevin Millar, whom he has known since he was 5. Thompson's grandparents served as Millar's host family when he played at Lamar, and Thompson was a Lamar batboy. Thompson committed to Texas A&M and was considered a tough sign until the Aggies fired their coaching staff, which made his decision to accept a $1.225 million bonus easier. Some say Thompson has a higher ceiling than Chris Volstad. Thompson shows good poise, savvy and competitiveness on the mound. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and he has a solid changeup and slider. Like most young pitchers, he needs better command of his secondary pitches. He also could stand to improve his pickoff move and attention to detail. He has a good frame but will need to add strength. Thompson figures to join Volstad at Greensboro to start 2006, and the Marlins won't hold them back if they dominate hitters there.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #18 prospect in 2006
  The fourth Greensboro starter on this list, Thompson ranks just behind Volstad in terms of polish but his stuff has the least upside among the group. Like Volstad, Thompson has above-average command of three pitches. His fastball sits consistently at 88 mph with natural tailing action, and he'll occasionally crack 90. His 80-81 mph slider is his best secondary offering. He also has a change with a late downward break that he uses as an out pitch against righthanders, and he'll flash a slow curveball to set up his slider. Because of his lack of velocity, command will continue to be paramount for Thompson. His fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph in high school, so there's also the chance he could get back to that point.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #13 prospect in 2005
  Thompson has less stuff than the other Marlins pitchers on this list, relying instead on keeping hitters off balance with finesse, location and changing speeds. He has excellent makeup and an advanced understanding of how to get hitters out for a teenager. Thompson threw an 88-89 mph fastball that peaked at 91. He worked both sides of the plate effectively while mixing in a curve and changeup. He had little drive in his lower half initially, but minor tinkering with his mechanics resulted in greater extension, leading to more crispness on his pitches. He still needs better command of his secondary offerings.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Thompson was considered a tough sign after committing to Texas A&M. The Aggies made his decision easier when they fired their coaching staff, and he turned pro for $1.225 million as part of the Marlins' 2005 draft. He has known former Marlin Kevin Millar since he was five, when Thompson's grandparents served as Millar's host family at Lamar University. Millar used to do cannonballs off the grandparents' roof into their swimming pool. As so many finesse lefties have been through the years, Thompson often draws comparisons to Tom Glavine. Thompson pitches at 88-90 mph with his fastball and also has an out-pitch slider, potential plus curveball and solidaverage changeup. He holds runners well, thinks his way through a lineup and demonstrates good savvy. On some nights, Thompson's fastball is a little short, but he could add more velocity as his body matures. He did touch 92 mph in high school. He could tighten up his curve, use his changeup a little more and polish his overall command. After handing low Class A with three other members of the Class of '05, Thompson will head to high Class A with them. He may be close to his ceiling but that shouldn't keep him from pushing for a big-league rotation spot as early as midseason 2008.