Daryl Thompson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #27 prospect in 2011
  When the Reds dealt Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to the Nationals in an ill-fated playoff push in 2006, the deal quickly fell flat. Gary Majewski and Bill Bray, the two relievers brought in to bolster the Reds' bullpen, proved to be duds, while Royce Clayton and Brendan Harris were soon playing elsewhere. Thompson, a low Class A pitcher at the time, may still bring the Reds some return on their investment. When he has been healthy he has shown major league stuff, but injury problems have slowed his development, causing him to miss time in each of the past two seasons. He was shut down in 2009 with elbow problems, then had surgery to clean up his labrum after the season and was taken off the 40-man roster. His stuff bounced back last year, and he was showing a 92-94 mph fastball, a usable, slow curveball and an average changeup, but he missed time with mononucleosis. Thompson's skinny frame and injury history lead to lingering concerns about his durability and may eventually cause him to move to the bullpen. Cincinnati was impressed enough with his showing in the Arizona Fall League to add him back to the 40-man roster.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #11 prospect in 2009
  It may seem like Thompson has been around forever--he was drafted by the Montreal Expos, after all--but he's actually right on schedule and will play the entire 2009 season as a 23-year-old. The Reds' last hope to get something significant out of the 2006 Austin Kearns/Felipe Lopez trade with Washington, Thompson needed more than two years to fully recover from labrum surgery. He regained 3-4 mph on his fastball in 2008 and can spot his 92-94 mph heater to both sides of the plate. He also throws an inconsistent changeup, an improving 78-82 mph slider and a slow curveball. His changeup has the potential to be his second-best pitch, with fade and sink when he has a feel for it. Thompson did a good job early in the season of getting ahead of hitters, which allowed him to use his full assortment of pitches. He's willing to throw all four at any point in the count. His curve is best used sparingly, when hitters aren't looking for it, because it isn't a swing-and-miss pitch, and his slider lacks the velocity to be a true out pitch. Thompson's fastball is major league-ready, so if his offspeed offerings catch up he can be a solid No. 3 or 4 starter, but concerns about his durability persist. His fastball lost some of its zip as the season progressed, and he seemed to wear down after his big league callup. Thompson will compete for the Reds' fifth-starter job in spring training, and his command and steadiness give him a solid shot at winning it.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #18 prospect in 2007
  If he fully recovers from a torn labrum, Thompson could quickly become one of the Reds' top pitching prospects. Part of the eight-player trade that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to the Nationals for relief help last summer, Thompson had a 92-94 mph fastball before he got hurt. He also had an average changeup and an average curveball that shows good rotation and has some potential to be a plus pitch. But Thompson has been sidelined for nearly a year after shoulder surgery, and the success rate on labrum repairs is sketchy. The Reds were very cautious with Thompson after acquiring him. They sent him to the Gulf Coast League for some very limited work. He had his fastball back up to 92 mph at instructional league and he once again showed the ability to work both sides of the plate with it. Thompson needs to show that he can maintain his velocity deeper into games, and the Nationals had some worries about his professionalism, largely because they felt he could eat better and get into a little bit better shape. After missing nearly a year and a half of development because of the shoulder injury, the Reds will continue to be cautious with Thompson, but they hope he can kick-start his development in high Class A.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2006
  In his second straight season as a teenager in the low Class A South Atlantic League, Thompson showed his electric stuff can translate into results, as he lowered his ERA by 1.73 runs from 2004. But his breakout season was sidetracked in July when he was shut down for minor cleanup surgery on his shoulder. Like Collin Balester, Thompson is mature, has a great frame and loves to pitch with his fastball. He's beginning to fill out and held the velocity on his 91-94 mph fastball longer than he did in the past. His 11-to-5 curveball continued to be an average pitch most of the time, and his changeup improved a great deal. Thompson's physical maturation will be hastened if he learns to eat right and develop better work habits. His health shouldn't be an issue in 2006, as the Nationals expect him to enter the spring at 100 percent. He just needs to continue refining his secondary pitches. Thompson figures to be another power arm in the Potomac rotation in 2006. He could be a fixture in Washington's rotation by 2008.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #7 prospect in 2005
  An eighth-round pick in 2003, Thompson is looking more and more like a steal. After shining in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League, he skipped a level and went to low Class A Savannah at age 18. His numbers weren't outstanding, but he was the youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League, demonstrating amazing poise for his age and occasional dominance. Thompson works primarily with his 89-94 mph fastball, which features good life and could get even better as he adds strength. He has a wiry, athletic frame, a quick arm and a loose, easy delivery. He resembles a young Oil Can Boyd. Thompson's feel for pitching and makeup are remarkable for such a young pitcher. Like most teenagers, Thompson still is developing his secondary pitches. His curveball has 11-to-5 rotation and average depth, and it could become a plus pitch. He has good feel for a changeup but it isn't reliable yet. Thompson has considerable upside and his best days are ahead. The Nationals believe he can handle a move to high Class A in 2005.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2004
  Thompson was relatively unknown entering the 2003 season, but soon created a stir among scouts and drew comparisons to Oil Can Boyd for his pitching style and appearance. The Expos selected him in the eighth round and were more than pleased with his debut. Lean and wiry with long arms and legs, plus large hands and fingers, Thompson has good growth and strength potential. He has a loose arm action and somewhat funky mechanics. He drops and drives through his delivery, reaching down and back to fling his fastball consistently 90-91 mph and up to 94. Thompson works from an overhand three-quarters slot, getting good boring action up and down to righthanders with his fastball. His curve is a potential average big league pitch with quick downer rotation, while his changeup is effective. Thompson is athletic, showing plus running speed and solid defensive skills. The Expos have moved their young pitchers slowly in recent years, so Vermont could be his next step in 2004.