Drafted in the 4th round (119th overall) by the New York Mets in 2015 (signed for $425,000).
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Thompson attended Westminster Christian in Miami, where he broke the state's single-season (19) and career (55) home runs records, eclipsing the totals of Westminster alumnus Alex Rodriguez along the way. Thompson was drafted by the Yankees in the 38th round in 2012, but went to Miami to play both football and baseball. His career as the Hurricanes quarterback never got off the ground, however, due to two surgeries to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He then missed much of his sophomore baseball season due to thoracic outlet syndrome, which required surgery to remove a rib. Finally fully healthy this spring, Thompson has excelled at the plate and is again producing the kinds of prodigious power numbers he did in high school. He led the country with 19 home runs in the regular season and slugged .683. He's a disciplined hitter and has walked more than he's struck out during his Miami career. Thompson's shoulder surgeries have left him with below-average arm strength and he will likely be limited to first base as a professional, with an outside chance to play left field. Right-right first basemen face a tough profile, but his track record for hitting for power will likely push him into the top five rounds.
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Injuries sidetracked Thompson in college--he had two shoulder surgeries and another for thoracic outlet syndrome--but he has remained healthy as a pro. He advanced to Double-A Binghamton in 2017, where he hit a career-high 16 home runs and ranked fourth in the Eastern League with 29 doubles. After scuffling out of the gate by hitting .193 through May 15, Thompson hit .286/.350/.479 with 14 home runs in his final 102 games. He drives the ball for power to all fields, and his flyball-oriented swing and high exit velocities should translate to more home run power as he maximizes his launch angle. Thompson is a poor runner, but shows solid-average range and hands at third base. After multiple labrum injuries, his arm might be short for every-day play at third. The Mets laud Thompson for his leadership ability, while his above-average power plays versus both righthanders and lefthanders. He will take the next step to Triple-A Las Vegas in 2018.
Thompson broke Prince Fielder's career prep home run record for the state of Florida, then attended Miami after turning down the Yankees as a 38th-round pick in 2012. While with the Hurricanes he twice had shoulder surgery on his labrum and also had a procedure to address thoracic outlet syndrome, which involved removing a rib and troublesome vein. All the surgical procedures short-circuited his plan to play both baseball and football (he played quarterback) at Miami. The Mets snagged Thompson in their Florida-heavy 2015 draft class that also included prospects Desmond Lindsay, Thomas Szapucki and Patrick Mazeika. Thompson's carrying tool is his above-average righthanded power, and he shows enhanced focus when batting with runners on base. He collected a system-best 95 RBIs at two Class A stops in 2016 and hit .314 and slugged .524 with ducks on the pond. Thompson doesn't draw many walks but makes enough contact to expect at least a fringe-average hit tool. He faces a probable move to first base because he lacks mobility at third base and doesn't have the soft hands or arm strength to project as more than a fringe defender there. Thompson will earn his promotions with his bat.
Draft Prospects
Thompson attended Westminster Christian in Miami, where he broke the state's single-season (19) and career (55) home runs records, eclipsing the totals of Westminster alumnus Alex Rodriguez along the way. Thompson was drafted by the Yankees in the 38th round in 2012, but went to Miami to play both football and baseball. His career as the Hurricanes quarterback never got off the ground, however, due to two surgeries to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He then missed much of his sophomore baseball season due to thoracic outlet syndrome, which required surgery to remove a rib. Finally fully healthy this spring, Thompson has excelled at the plate and is again producing the kinds of prodigious power numbers he did in high school. He led the country with 19 home runs in the regular season and slugged .683. He's a disciplined hitter and has walked more than he's struck out during his Miami career. Thompson's shoulder surgeries have left him with below-average arm strength and he will likely be limited to first base as a professional, with an outside chance to play left field. Right-right first basemen face a tough profile, but his track record for hitting for power will likely push him into the top five rounds.
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