Derek Thompson
| IP | 18 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.5 |
| WHIP | 1.444 |
| BB/9 | 5 |
| SO/9 | 6.5 |
- Full name Derek R. Thompson
- Born 01/08/1981 in Tampa, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Land O'lakes
- Debut 05/28/2005
-
Drafted in the C round (37th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2000 (signed for $850,000).
View Draft Report
Tall and lanky with an easy delivery, Thompson is extremely projectable. He has a solid average fastball that normally ranges from 89-91 mph but peaks at 93, and the potential for outstanding command. He performed so well this spring that he could sneak into the compensation round. He has committed to South Florida.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
When Cleveland's 2001 draft class was loaded with pitchers, Thompson went from a promising 2000 supplemental first-rounder to buried in a deep system. Knee surgery that limited him to just 12 innings in 2001 didn't help his cause. Still overshadowed, he emerged last spring throwing harder than ever. Thompson showed his best stuff in the high Class A Carolina League playoffs and, in what essentially turned out to be a showcase for Dodgers scouts, during instructional league last fall. In need of a lefthanded reliever, Los Angeles worked out a deal with the Cubs, who took Thompson in the major league Rule 5 draft and then sold him to the Dodgers. His 89-94 mph fastball, nasty two-plane slider and changeup spelled troubles for lefties, who hit .225 against him last year. The heavy sink on his fastball makes it difficult for hitters to lift the ball, resulting in loads of grounders. He has an athletic delivery with minimal effort. He'll have to throw lights-out for Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy in spring training, as it will be tough for a contending club to carry an extra arm. But the Dodgers project Thompson as a starter down the road and would like to find a way to keep him on their 25-man roster. -
The Indians believed the 2000 draft was strong in high school hitters and pitchers, particularly lefthanders. The Indians wasted little time in picking a high school lefty, choosing Thompson with the No. 37 overall pick, compensation for losing free agent Mike Jackson to the Phillies. Thompson signed for an $850,000 bonus. He has a good feel for pitching and throws strikes with three pitches--a low 90s fastball, a slider and changeup--a rarity for a high school pitcher. Thompson was undefeated as a high school senior, averaging 16.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The Indians think he's very projectable. Though his numbers at Rookie-level Burlington were unimpressive, he may bypass Mahoning Valley and begin 2001 in the Columbus rotation.
