Jacob Keith Thompson (born January 31, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Bravos de León of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.

Jake Thompson
Thompson pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017
Bravos de León – No. 91
Pitcher
Born: (1994-01-31) January 31, 1994 (age 30)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 6, 2016, for the Philadelphia Phillies
KBO: March 26, 2019, for the Lotte Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record7–8
Earned run average4.87
Strikeouts81
KBO statistics
(through 2019 Season)
Win–loss record2–3
Earned run average4.74
Strikeouts60
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Team

Career

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Amateur career

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Thompson attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas.[1] There, in his senior year he was 12-3 with a 1.90 ERA and batted .504 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 131 at bats, and Baseball America named him a First-Team High School All-American.[2] He committed to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) on a college baseball scholarship to play for the TCU Horned Frogs baseball team.[3] However, the Detroit Tigers selected Thompson in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft,[4][5] and he signed with the Tigers for a $532,000 signing bonus.[6]

Detroit Tigers

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Minor leagues

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Thompson with the Lakeland Flying Tigers in 2014

He made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, recording six strikeouts over four innings with one hit allowed.[7] He finished his first season 1–2 with a 1.91 earned run average (ERA) and 31 strikeouts over 28+13 innings in seven starts. Right-handed batters hit .125 against him.[2]

Thompson played the 2013 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single-A Midwest League.[8] He pitched in 17 games with 16 starts, going 3–3 with a 3.13 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 83+13 innings. He started the 2014 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League.[9] He was a mid-season Florida State League All Star.[10] In July, Thompson played in the All-Star Futures Game, and was promoted to the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League.[11]

Texas Rangers

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On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Thompson and Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Joakim Soria.[12] The Rangers assigned Thompson to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League.[3] After the 2014 season, MLB.com named him the 6th-best prospect in Texas's minor league system.[2] In 2015 he was a Texas League mid-season All-Star.[2]

Philadelphia Phillies

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On July 31, 2015, Thompson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Alec Asher, Matt Harrison, and Jerad Eickhoff in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman.[13] Thompson pitched for the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-A Eastern League.[14] After the 2015 season, Baseball America him the 3rd-best prospect in the Phillies minor league system.[2]

In 2016, Thompson pitched for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-A International League. He led the league with a 2.50 ERA and tied for the most wins with 11. He won the International League Most Valuable Pitcher Award.[2] He was also named an International League Post-Season All Star, and Baseball America Triple-A All Star.[10]

Major leagues

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Thompson received his MLB callup on August 6, 2016,[15] as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres in a 9–7 loss.[16] He earned his first MLB win on August 12, in a 10–6 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. He also struck out four batters in the second inning of that game.[17] Thompson finished his rookie season with a 3-6 record with a 5.70 ERA and 32 strikeouts over ten MLB starts.[18]

During the 2017 season Thompson split time between the Phillies and Lehigh Valley, posting a 3-2 record with a 3.88 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 11 appearances (8 starts).[18]

Thompson recorded his first MLB career save on April 8, 2018 against the Miami Marlins, pitching three scoreless innings to end a 20-1 blowout. Despite this performance, Thompson was optioned Triple-A immediately after the game.[19] He was designated for assignment by the Phillies on August 10.[20]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On August 14, 2018, the Phillies traded Thompson to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations, and Milwaukee optioned him to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[21] He was designated for assignment on August 31. Thompson was removed from the 40–man roster and outrighted to Triple-A on September 3. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[22]

Lotte Giants

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On December 13, 2018, Thompson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.[23]

On June 9, 2019, he was released by the Giants.[24]

Detroit Tigers (second stint)

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On July 25, 2019, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[25] In 7 games (5 starts) for the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers and Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Thompson registered a cumulative 5-0 record and 1.99 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 31+23 innings of work. He became a free agent following the season on November 4.[26]

Los Angeles Angels

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On January 22, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization. Thompson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[27] He became a free agent on November 2.[28]

Leones de Yucatán

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On May 25, 2021, Thompson signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[29] He started 11 games for the team, posting a 4-3 record and 3.02 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 59+23 innings pitched. The following year, Thompson made 17 appearances (14 starts) for the team, but struggled to a 5-4 record and 6.93 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 61 innings of work. Thompson won the Mexican League Championship with the Leones in 2022.[30] In 2023, Thompson made 18 starts for Yucatán, posting a 6–3 record and 2.71 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 89+23 innings of work.

Caliente de Durango

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On November 22, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in exchange for Xorge Carrillo.[31] On April 5, 2024, Thompson was loaned to the Caliente de Durango.[32] In five starts, he posted a 1–2 record with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 25 innings.

Toros de Tijuana

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On May 28, 2024, Thompson was returned back to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[33] In 5 starts for Tijuana, Thompson struggled to an 8.35 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 18+13 innings pitched.

Bravos de León

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On July 3, 2024, Thompson was traded to the Bravos de León of the Mexican League in exchange for Wendolyn Bautista.[34] In 3 starts for León, he posted a 1–1 record and 3.52 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 15+13 innings pitched.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Where are they now: Former Rockwall-Heath star pitcher Jake Thompson". High School Sports Blog. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Jake Thompson Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Pitcher Jake Thompson's 'crazy' year brings him home to Texas Rangers - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "MLB draft: Tigers take Jake Thompson with 2nd-round pick (with videos)". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  5. ^ George SippleDetroit Free Press (June 5, 2012). "Tigers select Texas high school pitcher Jake Thompson with first pick in MLB draft". Rockwallheraldbanner.com. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "Detroit Tigers sign 15 draft picks, including team's top pick Jake Thompson". MLive.com. June 13, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "Detroit Tigers' top draft pick Jake Thompson strikes out six in four innings in professional debut". MLive.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Jake Thompson, Tigers' top pick in 2012, debuts tonight with Whitecaps with familiar coach by his side". MLive.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "Armed and Ready: Flying Tigers Boast Top Pitching Prospect". TheLedger.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Jake Thompson Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  11. ^ "Detroit Tigers promote prospect Jake Thompson to Double-A Erie day after Futures Game appearance". MLive.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  12. ^ Tigers land All-Star reliever Soria from Rangers MLB.com, July 23, 2014
  13. ^ Badler, Ben (July 31, 2015). "Trade Central: Phillies Get Impact Talent, Depth In Hamels Deal". Baseball America. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Fightins' Thompson finishes on high note". MiLB.com. September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  15. ^ Zolecki, Todd (August 6, 2016). "Phillies designate Oberholtzer for assignment". mlb.phillies.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  16. ^ Zolecki, Todd (August 6, 2016). "Thompson ready for next challenge after debut: Phillies prospect was 'amped up' in first inning of rough outing". mlb.phillies.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  17. ^ Breen, Matt (August 13, 2016). "Howard's Grand Slam Lifts the Phillies". philly.com. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Jake Thompson Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  19. ^ "Maikel Franco, Aaron Altherr crush grand slams as Phillies rout Marlins 20-1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 8, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  20. ^ Jeff Todd (August 10, 2018). "Phillies Designate Jake Thompson". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  21. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies trade Jake Thompson to Milwaukee Brewers". Espn.com. August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  22. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  23. ^ "Lotte Giants bring back one American pitcher, sign new one for 2019". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "Last-place baseball club replaces American starter with Canadian right-hander". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  25. ^ "Detroit Tigers give RHP Jake Thompson minor league deal". motorcitybengals.com. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Woodbery, Evan (November 7, 2019). "Tigers' minor-league free agents include 5 who played in Detroit in 2019". mlive. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  27. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  29. ^ "El abridor Jake Thompson llega a las fieras". leones.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  30. ^ "LMB King's Series — Championship Series 2022 — Round-up". gambyl.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "Toros: Se une Jake Thompson a rotacíon de Tijuana". milb.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  32. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 5 de abril de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  33. ^ @TorosDeTijuana (May 28, 2024). "🚨 Movimientos en roster 🔴 Baja: Luis Perdomo (Japón) 🟢 Altas: Teddy Stankiewicz #23 PD, Jake Thompson #81 PD, Gabriel Ponce #22 PD" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved May 28, 2024 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
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