Zack Thompson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	17
ERA	9.53
WHIP	1.88
BB/9	4.24
SO/9	10.59

Full name Zachary David Thompson
Born 10/28/1997 in Selma, IN
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Kentucky
Debut 06/03/2022
Drafted in the 1st round (19th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019 (signed for $3,000,000).

View Draft Report

Thompson ranked No. 308 on the 2016 BA 500, but his draft ranking was dinged by a sore shoulder that limited him as a high school junior. He turned down a significant signing bonus when the Rays drafted him in the 11th round, instead opting to head to Kentucky. He made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, starting during the midweek and relieving on the weekends. He beat Indiana in an NCAA regional and ranked 26th in the country with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a freshman, but his sophomore season was not as smooth. He was working as Kentucky’s Saturday starter when he had to sit out seven starts while nursing a sore elbow. Thompson returned to pitch in early May and also pitched during the summer in both the Cape Cod League and for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. This spring, he’s been one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference. He struck out nine or more hitters in nine of his first 11 starts this season, including 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout against Georgia. Thompson has one of the best swing-and-miss rates among this year’s college pitchers in part due to a 91-92 mph fastball that can reach 94 mph when he needs it. Thompson’s fastball earns 55 grades, with a few scouts willing to call it a true plus pitch. His 84-85 mph slider is a high-spin rate, above-average pitch and has some power to it, although it sometimes gets loopier and slower as well. His significantly slower mid-70s curveball is less consistent, ranging anywhere from fringe-average to above-average depending on the pitch. He doesn’t throw his changeup all that often, but when he does, it is an average pitch as well. Thompson’s delivery is solid and he has made significant strides with his control this year, improving it to average even if his command still wavers. As a four-pitch lefty with success in the SEC pitching on Friday nights, Thompson is one of the most talented starting pitchers in a thin class. Scouts typically project him as a future No. 4 starter, but he may fall slightly below his talent level because of his injury history.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Thompson was a highly touted decorated college starter at Kentucky and one of the top pitchers available in the 2019 draft. The Cardinals selected him 19th overall despite a history of elbow injuries and signed him for an under slot $3 million bonus. Thompson quickly ascended the minors but got rocked at Triple-A Memphis in the first year back from the pandemic. He repeated Triple-A in 2022 and had much greater success, pitching well as a starter to earn his first callup to the big leagues. He settled in as a reliever for the Cardinals down the stretch and logged a 2.08 ERA in 22 appearances.

Scouting Report: Thompson utilized a four-pitch mix as a starter, but he leans on his fastball and curveball as a reliever. His fastball sits 94-96 mph with average ride and life out of the bullpen and touches 100 mph at peak. His slow, high-spin curveball with plus depth plays well off his fastball and induces a heavy dose of ground balls. Thompson will mix in a fringy upper-80s cutter and below-average upper-80s changeup to give batters a different look. He throws strikes with average control.

The Future: Thompson's primary two-pitch combination and average command make the bullpen his long-term destination. He should take on a bigger role as one of the Cardinals' primary relievers in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45. Control: 50.
Track Record: After a dominant junior season at Kentucky the Cardinals drafted Thompson in the first round in 2019, and he made 11 appearances out of the bullpen at High-A Palm Beach after signing. He stood out in 2020 at spring training, then spent the summer at the alternate training site. Thompson made his upper minors debut at Triple-A Memphis in 2021, where he struggled mightily, proving to be far too hittable and posting 5.5 walks per nine innings and a 7.06 ERA.

Scouting Report: Thompson previously stood out for his loud arsenal, including a fastball that sat 91-94 mph and topped out at 97, but opposing scouts watched as his velocity backed up significantly early in the 2021 season. He sat 87-88 mph with big running life and pitched with restriction in his shoulder. Thompson’s velocity began to pick up as the season progressed, and he was back to sitting 91-94 mph in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 22 batters over 17.1 innings of work. His slider sat in the low 80s in the AFL with a low spin rate and flat break, and his plus curveball had high spin rates exceeding 3,000 rpm. However, the curve has very little power, sitting 69-72 mph. Thompson rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average. Thompson has struggled with his below-average control at times, and it’s imperative that he throws more consistent strikes, especially if his velocity continues to fluctuate.

The Future: Thompson once looked like a mid-rotation arm, but the 2021 season was a step in the wrong direction. He’ll head back to Triple-A Memphis in 2022, where he’ll look to regain his velocity and improve his strike-throwing ability.
Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 45.

TRACK RECORD: Thompson broke James Paxton’s school record at Kentucky for strikeouts by a lefty with 130 punchouts in 90 innings as a junior. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and pushed him to high Class A Palm Beach in his pro debut. Thompson impressed at spring training and was tabbed as a potential breakout, but he instead spent the year at the alternate training site after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson has loud stuff that brings to mind a front-of-the-rotation lefthander. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 97, and his plus curveball has elite spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. His mid-80s slider and mid-80s changeup give him two more average or better pitches and he is increasingly showing confidence in both of them. Thompson’s consistency and control, however, have not come together. His control was an issue in college and wavered at the alternate training site. He had an elbow injury in college that also scared some teams, and his fastball velocity wavered at times in Springfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Thompson’s stuff gives him a chance to pitch in the middle-to-front of a rotation, but he could also end up in the bullpen if his control and consistency don’t improve.
TRACK RECORD: The Rays drafted Thompson in the 11th round out of high school and made him an over-slot bonus offer, but he attended Kentucky instead. Elbow soreness sidetracked Thompson's sophomore season, but he returned to pitch 8.2 scoreless innings for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in the summer and rebounded with a strong junior season. He struck out 130 batters for the Wildcats, breaking James Paxton's school record for a lefthander, and was a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and signed him for $3 million.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson's fastball sits 91-94 mph as a starter and touched 97 in relief at high Class A Palm Beach after he signed. His slider was better than his curveball in college, but his curveball showed better in pro ball as a plus 74-77 mph offering he could land in the strike zone or get batters to chase. His above-average mid-80s slider plays like a cutter at times, and his 83-85 mph changeup gives him an average fourth offering. Thompson mixes all his pitches and has a confident, aggressive demeanor. His control is average, but his command and consistency waver.

THE FUTURE: Thompson has a chance to move quickly as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter candidate. His health and command will be key to watch in his first full season.

Draft Prospects

Thompson ranked No. 308 on the 2016 BA 500, but his draft ranking was dinged by a sore shoulder that limited him as a high school junior. He turned down a significant signing bonus when the Rays drafted him in the 11th round, instead opting to head to Kentucky. He made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, starting during the midweek and relieving on the weekends. He beat Indiana in an NCAA regional and ranked 26th in the country with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a freshman, but his sophomore season was not as smooth. He was working as Kentucky's Saturday starter when he had to sit out seven starts while nursing a sore elbow. Thompson returned to pitch in early May and also pitched during the summer in both the Cape Cod League and for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. This spring, he's been one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference. He struck out nine or more hitters in nine of his first 11 starts this season, including 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout against Georgia. Thompson has one of the best swing-and-miss rates among this year's college pitchers in part due to a 91-92 mph fastball that can reach 94 mph when he needs it. Thompson's fastball earns 55 grades, with a few scouts willing to call it a true plus pitch. His 84-85 mph slider is a high-spin rate, above-average pitch and has some power to it, although it sometimes gets loopier and slower as well. His significantly slower mid-70s curveball is less consistent, ranging anywhere from fringe-average to above-average depending on the pitch. He doesn't throw his changeup all that often, but when he does, it is an average pitch as well. Thompson's delivery is solid and he has made significant strides with his control this year, improving it to average even if his command still wavers. As a four-pitch lefty with success in the SEC pitching on Friday nights, Thompson is one of the most talented starting pitchers in a thin class. Scouts typically project him as a future No. 4 starter, but he may fall slightly below his talent level because of his injury history.
Thompson dominated as a high school sophomore, but his junior high school season ended early because of a sore shoulder. He showed this spring that he's back, as the low-90s fastball he showed pre-injury returned. He's touched 93-94 mph this spring although in other outings he's sat 87-90. Thompson mixes in a mid-70s curveball that had depth if not power. He has a pretty swing as well with bat speed and balance as well and could contribute at the college level as a two-way player. Thompson's velocity comes easy and he has shown advanced control for his age. He's signed with Kentucky.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Thompson was a highly touted decorated college starter at Kentucky and one of the top pitchers available in the 2019 draft. The Cardinals selected him 19th overall despite a history of elbow injuries and signed him for an under slot $3 million bonus. Thompson quickly ascended the minors but got rocked at Triple-A Memphis in the first year back from the pandemic. He repeated Triple-A in 2022 and had much greater success, pitching well as a starter to earn his first callup to the big leagues. He settled in as a reliever for the Cardinals down the stretch and logged a 2.08 ERA in 22 appearances.

Scouting Report: Thompson utilized a four-pitch mix as a starter, but he leans on his fastball and curveball as a reliever. His fastball sits 94-96 mph with average ride and life out of the bullpen and touches 100 mph at peak. His slow, high-spin curveball with plus depth plays well off his fastball and induces a heavy dose of ground balls. Thompson will mix in a fringy upper-80s cutter and below-average upper-80s changeup to give batters a different look. He throws strikes with average control.

The Future: Thompson's primary two-pitch combination and average command make the bullpen his long-term destination. He should take on a bigger role as one of the Cardinals' primary relievers in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45. Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Thompson was a highly touted decorated college starter at Kentucky and one of the top pitchers available in the 2019 draft. The Cardinals selected him 19th overall despite a history of elbow injuries and signed him for an under slot $3 million bonus. Thompson quickly ascended the minors but got rocked at Triple-A Memphis in the first year back from the pandemic. He repeated Triple-A in 2022 and had much greater success, pitching well as a starter to earn his first callup to the big leagues. He settled in as a reliever for the Cardinals down the stretch and logged a 2.08 ERA in 22 appearances.

Scouting Report: Thompson utilized a four-pitch mix as a starter, but he leans on his fastball and curveball as a reliever. His fastball sits 94-96 mph with average ride and life out of the bullpen and touches 100 mph at peak. His slow, high-spin curveball with plus depth plays well off his fastball and induces a heavy dose of ground balls. Thompson will mix in a fringy upper-80s cutter and below-average upper-80s changeup to give batters a different look. He throws strikes with average control.

The Future: Thompson's primary two-pitch combination and average command make the bullpen his long-term destination. He should take on a bigger role as one of the Cardinals' primary relievers in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 45. Control: 50.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: After a dominant junior season at Kentucky the Cardinals drafted Thompson in the first round in 2019, and he made 11 appearances out of the bullpen at High-A Palm Beach after signing. He stood out in 2020 at spring training, then spent the summer at the alternate training site. Thompson made his upper minors debut at Triple-A Memphis in 2021, where he struggled mightily, proving to be far too hittable and posting 5.5 walks per nine innings and a 7.06 ERA.

Scouting Report: Thompson previously stood out for his loud arsenal, including a fastball that sat 91-94 mph and topped out at 97, but opposing scouts watched as his velocity backed up significantly early in the 2021 season. He sat 87-88 mph with big running life and pitched with restriction in his shoulder. Thompson&#39s velocity began to pick up as the season progressed, and he was back to sitting 91-94 mph in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 22 batters over 17.1 innings of work. His slider sat in the low 80s in the AFL with a low spin rate and flat break, and his plus curveball had high spin rates exceeding 3,000 rpm. However, the curve has very little power, sitting 69-72 mph. Thompson rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average. Thompson has struggled with his below-average control at times, and it&#39s imperative that he throws more consistent strikes, especially if his velocity continues to fluctuate.

The Future: Thompson once looked like a mid-rotation arm, but the 2021 season was a step in the wrong direction. He&#39ll head back to Triple-A Memphis in 2022, where he&#39ll look to regain his velocity and improve his strike-throwing ability.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 45. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
Track Record: After a dominant junior season at Kentucky the Cardinals drafted Thompson in the first round in 2019, and he made 11 appearances out of the bullpen at High-A Palm Beach after signing. He stood out in 2020 at spring training, then spent the summer at the alternate training site. Thompson made his upper minors debut at Triple-A Memphis in 2021, where he struggled mightily, proving to be far too hittable and posting 5.5 walks per nine innings and a 7.06 ERA.

Scouting Report: Thompson previously stood out for his loud arsenal, including a fastball that sat 91-94 mph and topped out at 97, but opposing scouts watched as his velocity backed up significantly early in the 2021 season. He sat 87-88 mph with big running life and pitched with restriction in his shoulder. Thompson’s velocity began to pick up as the season progressed, and he was back to sitting 91-94 mph in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 22 batters over 17.1 innings of work. His slider sat in the low 80s in the AFL with a low spin rate and flat break, and his plus curveball had high spin rates exceeding 3,000 rpm. However, the curve has very little power, sitting 69-72 mph. Thompson rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average. Thompson has struggled with his below-average control at times, and it’s imperative that he throws more consistent strikes, especially if his velocity continues to fluctuate.

The Future: Thompson once looked like a mid-rotation arm, but the 2021 season was a step in the wrong direction. He’ll head back to Triple-A Memphis in 2022, where he’ll look to regain his velocity and improve his strike-throwing ability.
Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 45.

TRACK RECORD: Thompson broke James Paxton's school record at Kentucky for strikeouts by a lefty with 130 punchouts in 90 innings as a junior. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and pushed him to high Class A Palm Beach in his pro debut. Thompson impressed at spring training and was tabbed as a potential breakout, but he instead spent the year at the alternate training site after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson has loud stuff that brings to mind a front-of-the-rotation lefthander. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 97, and his plus curveball has elite spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. His mid-80s slider and mid-80s changeup give him two more average or better pitches and he is increasingly showing confidence in both of them. Thompson's consistency and control, however, have not come together. His control was an issue in college and wavered at the alternate training site. He had an elbow injury in college that also scared some teams, and his fastball velocity wavered at times in Springfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Thompson's stuff gives him a chance to pitch in the middle-to-front of a rotation, but he could also end up in the bullpen if his control and consistency don't improve.
Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 45.

TRACK RECORD: Thompson broke James Paxton’s school record at Kentucky for strikeouts by a lefty with 130 punchouts in 90 innings as a junior. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and pushed him to high Class A Palm Beach in his pro debut. Thompson impressed at spring training and was tabbed as a potential breakout, but he instead spent the year at the alternate training site after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson has loud stuff that brings to mind a front-of-the-rotation lefthander. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 97, and his plus curveball has elite spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. His mid-80s slider and mid-80s changeup give him two more average or better pitches and he is increasingly showing confidence in both of them. Thompson’s consistency and control, however, have not come together. His control was an issue in college and wavered at the alternate training site. He had an elbow injury in college that also scared some teams, and his fastball velocity wavered at times in Springfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Thompson’s stuff gives him a chance to pitch in the middle-to-front of a rotation, but he could also end up in the bullpen if his control and consistency don’t improve.
Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 45.

TRACK RECORD: Thompson broke James Paxton’s school record at Kentucky for strikeouts by a lefty with 130 punchouts in 90 innings as a junior. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and pushed him to high Class A Palm Beach in his pro debut. Thompson impressed at spring training and was tabbed as a potential breakout, but he instead spent the year at the alternate training site after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson has loud stuff that brings to mind a front-of-the-rotation lefthander. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 97, and his plus curveball has elite spin rates above 3,000 revolutions per minute. His mid-80s slider and mid-80s changeup give him two more average or better pitches and he is increasingly showing confidence in both of them. Thompson’s consistency and control, however, have not come together. His control was an issue in college and wavered at the alternate training site. He had an elbow injury in college that also scared some teams, and his fastball velocity wavered at times in Springfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Thompson’s stuff gives him a chance to pitch in the middle-to-front of a rotation, but he could also end up in the bullpen if his control and consistency don’t improve.
TRACK RECORD: The Rays drafted Thompson in the 11th round out of high school and made him an over-slot bonus offer, but he attended Kentucky instead. Elbow soreness sidetracked Thompson’s sophomore season, but he returned to pitch 8.2 scoreless innings for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in the summer and rebounded with a strong junior season. He struck out 130 batters for the Wildcats, breaking James Paxton’s school record for a lefthander, and was a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and signed him for $3 million.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson’s fastball sits 91-94 mph as a starter and touched 97 in relief at high Class A Palm Beach after he signed. His slider was better than his curveball in college, but his curveball showed better in pro ball as a plus 74-77 mph offering he could land in the strike zone or get batters to chase. His above-average mid-80s slider plays like a cutter at times, and his 83-85 mph changeup gives him an average fourth offering. Thompson mixes all his pitches and has a confident, aggressive demeanor. His control is average, but his command and consistency waver.

THE FUTURE: Thompson has a chance to move quickly as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter candidate. His health and command will be key to watch in his first full season.
TRACK RECORD: The Rays drafted Thompson in the 11th round out of high school and made him an over-slot bonus offer, but he attended Kentucky instead. Elbow soreness sidetracked Thompson's sophomore season, but he returned to pitch 8.2 scoreless innings for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in the summer and rebounded with a strong junior season. He struck out 130 batters for the Wildcats, breaking James Paxton's school record for a lefthander, and was a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. The Cardinals drafted him 19th overall and signed him for $3 million.

SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson's fastball sits 91-94 mph as a starter and touched 97 in relief at high Class A Palm Beach after he signed. His slider was better than his curveball in college, but his curveball showed better in pro ball as a plus 74-77 mph offering he could land in the strike zone or get batters to chase. His above-average mid-80s slider plays like a cutter at times, and his 83-85 mph changeup gives him an average fourth offering. Thompson mixes all his pitches and has a confident, aggressive demeanor. His control is average, but his command and consistency waver.

THE FUTURE: Thompson has a chance to move quickly as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter candidate. His health and command will be key to watch in his first full season.
Thompson ranked No. 308 on the 2016 BA 500, but his draft ranking was dinged by a sore shoulder that limited him as a high school junior. He turned down a significant signing bonus when the Rays drafted him in the 11th round, instead opting to head to Kentucky. He made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, starting during the midweek and relieving on the weekends. He beat Indiana in an NCAA regional and ranked 26th in the country with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a freshman, but his sophomore season was not as smooth. He was working as Kentucky's Saturday starter when he had to sit out seven starts while nursing a sore elbow. Thompson returned to pitch in early May and also pitched during the summer in both the Cape Cod League and for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. This spring, he's been one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference. He struck out nine or more hitters in nine of his first 11 starts this season, including 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout against Georgia. Thompson has one of the best swing-and-miss rates among this year's college pitchers in part due to a 91-92 mph fastball that can reach 94 mph when he needs it. Thompson's fastball earns 55 grades, with a few scouts willing to call it a true plus pitch. His 84-85 mph slider is a high-spin rate, above-average pitch and has some power to it, although it sometimes gets loopier and slower as well. His significantly slower mid-70s curveball is less consistent, ranging anywhere from fringe-average to above-average depending on the pitch. He doesn't throw his changeup all that often, but when he does, it is an average pitch as well. Thompson's delivery is solid and he has made significant strides with his control this year, improving it to average even if his command still wavers. As a four-pitch lefty with success in the SEC pitching on Friday nights, Thompson is one of the most talented starting pitchers in a thin class. Scouts typically project him as a future No. 4 starter, but he may fall slightly below his talent level because of his injury history.