Jeff Thompson
| IP | 507 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.846 |
| WHIP | 1.568 |
| BB/9 | 4.935 |
| SO/9 | 8.467 |
- Full name Jeffrey Leo Thompson
- Born 09/23/1991 in Louisville, KY
- Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Louisville
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Drafted in the 3rd round (94th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2013 (signed for $549,400).
View Draft Report
An all-state tight end and defensive lineman as an Indiana high schooler, Thompson drew interest from college football programs but opted to pursue baseball at Louisville. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, and he's capable of touching 95 mph with his fastball. He had a 28-inning scoreless streak in March and a 9-1, 1.94 record through 13 starts, but scouts wonder how his package will play at the next level. Thompson sits at 90-92 mph with his heater, but it's straight and his long arms enable hitters to see it well. He abuses college hitters by getting them to chase his solid slider out of the zone, and presumably professional hitters will be more discerning. His changeup is a decent third pitch. Thompson throws strikes and gets good angle to the plate, and a team that sees his fastball and slider as true plus offerings could take him in the third round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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An Indiana all-state tight end and defensive end in high school, Thompson's size and athleticism made him attractive to some college football programs, but he chose to play baseball at Louisville instead. He led the Cardinals to the 2013 College World Series, then signed for $549,400 as the fourth of seven consecutive college pitchers the Tigers selected to start their draft. Thompson uses his behemoth size and long arms to produce downhill plane on a fastball that camps at 90-93 mph and can hit 95 with occasional cutting action, though it can get straight. His low-80s slider has slurvy action. It's an average pitch that low-level hitters will chase out of the zone, though more discerning hitters will hold back. His changeup is a below-average pitch that he doesn't use much. Thompson has a good delivery with smooth arm action and hides the ball well behind a high leg lift to add deception. The Tigers view him as a starter and will develop him that way, though some scouts have him pegged for bullpen. He should be ready for high Class A Lakeland.
Draft Prospects
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An all-state tight end and defensive lineman as an Indiana high schooler, Thompson drew interest from college football programs but opted to pursue baseball at Louisville. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, and he's capable of touching 95 mph with his fastball. He had a 28-inning scoreless streak in March and a 9-1, 1.94 record through 13 starts, but scouts wonder how his package will play at the next level. Thompson sits at 90-92 mph with his heater, but it's straight and his long arms enable hitters to see it well. He abuses college hitters by getting them to chase his solid slider out of the zone, and presumably professional hitters will be more discerning. His changeup is a decent third pitch. Thompson throws strikes and gets good angle to the plate, and a team that sees his fastball and slider as true plus offerings could take him in the third round.
