Drew Thompson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Andrew S. Thompson
Born 11/07/1986 in West Palm Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Jupiter Community
Drafted in the C-2 round (80th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2005 (signed for $475,000).

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Thompson is one of several sons of big leaguers available in this year's draft; his father Robbie played second base for the Giants for 11 seasons and now works in the Indians front office. Drew is a lefthanded hitter but a similar player in some ways. His father's best tool was his bat (he hit 119 home runs), and Thompson has the advanced approach and hitting instincts of someone who grew up around the game. He has a compact lefthanded swing that sprays line drives to all fields. He has solid hands and an average arm, probably good enough to be a college shortstop, but pro scouts believe he fits the profile of an offensive second baseman, once he fills out physically and begins to hit for more power. Thompson's father is a Gators alumnus, and scouts believe Drew would have to be drafted higher than the third round to get him to sign.

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A second-round pick who signed for $475,000, Thompson was the first of three sons of former big league middle infielders drafted by Minnesota in 2005. His father Robby was an all-star with the Giants and currently is the Indians' bench coach. The Twins also signed Steven Tolleson (Wayne's son) in the fifth round and Toby Gardenhire (whose dad Ron manages the Twins) in the 41st. Thompson is considered more polished than fellow second-round pick Paul Kelly, who went 26 slots ahead of him. A shortstop in high school, Thompson played mostly second in the Gulf Coast League as Kelly stayed at his natural position. Thompson also dealt with a dead-arm period after signing, so the decision was made to leave him at second. Some see him as developing into an offensive second baseman like his father as he fills out, but the Twins believe he can stay at shortstop because of his solid hands and average arm. He's selective and has the potential for gap power. He has a nice, level lefthanded swing and a good idea of the strike zone. Thompson, who wore down by the end of his debut season, figures to open 2006 in extended spring before becoming the starting shortstop at Rookie-level Elizabethton.

Thompson plays the game much like his father Robby did as an all-star second baseman with the Giants. He's a heads-up player with leadership qualities and natural instincts. He's mechanically sound in all phases of the game. Lean and wiry at 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, Thompson stands out most at the plate. He's aggressive at the plate with a compact swing. He sprays line drives to all fields with occasional in-game power. He has more potential with the bat than Kelly, his double-play partner. A shortstop in high school, Thompson is better suited for second base at the pro level because he lacks true shortstop range.