Bennett Thompson

School: Oregon
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age at Draft: 21.6

Thompson is a 5-foot-10, 196-pound catcher who hit extremely well for Oregon in parts of two seasons in 2022 and 2023. In his first full season for the Ducks in 2024 his offensive numbers back up a bit, as he slashed .281/.386/.431 with less power than he had flashed in each of the previous two seasons. Thompson has a pull-heavy approach at the plate and generally stays within the strike zone on his swing decisions and rarely misses a fastball, but he profiles as a bottom-of-the-order type bat. He did an excellent job controlling the run game in 2024 and threw out 9-of-19 (47.4%) base stealers with a compact arm action and solid arm strength. He has the actions to stick behind the plate with solid mobility and hands and will need to be an above-average defender at the position to make up for his offensive questions. Thompson has a fairly extensive history in wood bat summer leagues but never did much to impress in that capacity beyond putting up solid strikeout and walk rates.