Zach Thompson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	196
ERA	4.454
WHIP	1.403
BB/9	3.398
SO/9	7.163

Full name Zachary Ryan Thompson
Born 10/23/1993 in Burleson, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Texas-Arlington
Debut 06/07/2021
Drafted in the 5th round (138th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2014 (signed for $363,400).

View Draft Report

Thompson has more projection remaining than the average college pitcher. He's big-bodied at 6-foot-6, 213 pounds and at times in the past he's flashed 95 mph velocity, though more in fall practice or the summer than in game action this spring. He had an uneven spring, which precluded him from reaching the first three rounds, which appeared possible early in the season. Scouts report Thompson has pitched with an average fastball most of the spring, sitting 87-91 mph with some downhill plane and touching 92 and 93 at his best. His top pitch has been a 12-to-6 curveball that earns some above-average grades. He doesn't stay on top of the ball consistently, leading to his fastball flattening out and becoming very hittable.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: At 6-foot-7, Thompson was projectable coming out of college. He scuffled somewhat in his junior year at Texas-Arlington, causing him to drop to the White Sox in the fifth round. He transitioned to the bullpen full time in the middle of the 2017 season.

Scouting Report: Thompson uses his massive frame to pump mid-90s fastballs, though his low-90s cutter might be his best offering. He commands the cutter, which grades as a plus pitch, better than his four-seamer. He sometimes has to back off his fastball to keep it in the zone, and command will be an issue he has to keep in check as he advances. He mixes in a below-average curveball as well.

The Future: Thompson finished the year with a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League and should start next season in Triple-A. He went unpicked in the Rule 5 Draft but could make it to Chicago in 2019.
At 6-foot-7, Thompson has an extra-large frame and brings an imposing presence to the mound. As with many tall pitchers, he has been consistently inconsistent. Thompson recorded a 4.71 ERA at Texas-Arlington despite having promising stuff and downhill plane on his pitches. The 2014 draft pick spent the majority of 2015 and 2016 at low Class A Kannapolis, and in his repeat he began to tap into his potential. During one five-start stretch in April and May, Thompson lasted at least six innings and allowed three hits or fewer each time out. He eventually earned a promotion to high Class A Winston-Salem, where his struggles resurfaced. On a good day, Thompson pitches with a plus fastball at 90-95 mph, an average upper-70s curveball and a changeup that registers about 10 mph less than his heater. He pitches downhill and generates ground balls at an above-average rate. In short bursts, such as in the South Atlantic League all-star game, his fastball can reach as high as 97 mph. If he fails to achieve the consistency required for a starter, Thompson could be effective as a two-pitch reliever. He heads back to high Class A in 2017.

Draft Prospects

Thompson has more projection remaining than the average college pitcher. He's big-bodied at 6-foot-6, 213 pounds and at times in the past he's flashed 95 mph velocity, though more in fall practice or the summer than in game action this spring. He had an uneven spring, which precluded him from reaching the first three rounds, which appeared possible early in the season. Scouts report Thompson has pitched with an average fastball most of the spring, sitting 87-91 mph with some downhill plane and touching 92 and 93 at his best. His top pitch has been a 12-to-6 curveball that earns some above-average grades. He doesn't stay on top of the ball consistently, leading to his fastball flattening out and becoming very hittable.

Career Transactions

RHP Zach Thompson assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Zach Thompson to a minor league contract.
Buffalo Bisons placed RHP Zach Thompson on the 7-day injured list.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Zach Thompson outright to Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons activated RHP Zach Thompson.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Zach Thompson outright to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays designated RHP Zach Thompson for assignment.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned RHP Zach Thompson to Buffalo Bisons.
Pittsburgh Pirates traded RHP Zach Thompson to Toronto Blue Jays for CF Chavez Young.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated RHP Zach Thompson for assignment.