Jacob Thompson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Jacob Floyd Thompson
Born 11/19/1986 in Danville, VA
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Virginia
Drafted in the 5th round (160th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2008 (signed for $190,000).

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Thompson built an impressive resume and the reputation as a winner in his first two seasons at Virginia. Compiling double-digit wins in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, he had won 21 of his 32 starts coming into his junior year. He also pitched for Team USA's national college squad last summer, compiling a 1.27 ERA in five starts, and started against Cuba in the gold-medal matchup at the Pan American Games. He entered the season as a projected first-round pick, but a disappointing spring caused his draft stock to plummet. Thompson never showed overwhelming stuff, but when successful he mixed his low-90s fastball, plus slider, average curveball and changeup with superior pitchability and command. Creating steep plane from his 6-foot-6 frame, he pitched down in the zone and had a .198 opponent average his sophomore year. He has struggled with his command this year, though. Due to an inability to consistently get over the rubber and pitch downhill, Thompson's fastball has been left up in the zone and his secondary pitches have been flat. A team that drafts Thompson early will do so on his track record, but if he's drafted on the basis of this year's performance, he may slip past the point of being signable.

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Thompson entered the spring of 2008 as a potential first-round pick after starring at Virginia and for the Team USA college national team. His junior season didn't unfold as planned, however. He struggled with an illness that caused him to lose 25 pounds, and also with his command and ability to pitch downhill, which caused his fastball to get hammered up in the strike zone. He dropped to the fifth round and signed in August for $190,000. After joining the Braves, Thompson showed an average 88-91 mph fastball after pitching at 90-93 in previous years. His plus curveball is his best pitch, and he also throws a slider that could become an above-average offering if it develops more consistent bite. His changeup is fringy and features some sink. Thompson has a large, lanky frame and a full windup that doesn't produce a lot of arm speed but does create deception. Repeating his delivery, trusting and improving his changeup, and maintaining a downhill plane will be the keys to Thompson's success in the pro ranks. Should he regain his previous form, Thompson has a chance to be a No. 3 starter. He'll begin his first full pro season in low Class A.