Zachary Ryan Thompson (born October 23, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 5th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.
| Zach Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 23, 1993 Burleson, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 7, 2021, for the Miami Marlins | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 6–17 |
| Earned run average | 4.44 |
| Strikeouts | 156 |
| Teams | |
Career
editChicago White Sox
editThompson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 48th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign and attended the University of Texas at Arlington. He was then drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 5th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft and signed.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie ball Great Falls Voyagers.
In 2015, Thompson played for the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators, recording a 3–8 record and 4.44 ERA in 16 appearances. The next year, he split the season between the High-A Winston-Salem Dash and Kannapolis, accumulating a 9–8 record and 3.77 ERA in 140+2⁄3 innings of work. He remained with Winston-Salem for the 2017 season, pitching to a 2–7 record and 5.50 ERA with 73 strikeouts. In 2018, Thompson split the season between the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Winston-Salem, posting a 6–1 record and stellar 1.55 ERA in 43 games.[2]
In 2019, Thompson split the year between the Triple-A Charlotte Knights and Birmingham, pitching to a 5–2 record and 5.23 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 75+2⁄3 innings pitched. Thompson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] On November 2, 2020, he elected free agency.[4]
Miami Marlins
editOn November 23, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization that included an invitation to spring training.[5] He was assigned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the season.
On June 5, 2021, Thompson was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[6] He made his MLB debut on June 7 as the starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox, taking the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in three innings;[7] he recorded his first major league strikeout against Kiké Hernández.[8]
Pittsburgh Pirates
editOn November 29, 2021, the Marlins traded Thompson, Connor Scott, and Kyle Nicolas to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jacob Stallings.[9] Thompson made 29 appearances (22 starts) for Pittsburgh in 2022, posting a 3-10 record and 5.18 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 121.2 innings pitched.
On January 5, 2023, Thompson was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after the signing of Rich Hill was made official. [10]
Toronto Blue Jays
editOn January 10, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Chavez Young.[11] Thompson was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2023 season.[12] In 11 starts for Buffalo, Thompson struggled to a 2–4 record and 6.89 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 47 innings of work. On June 6, he was designated for assignment by Toronto following the promotion of Bowden Francis.[13] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Buffalo on June 8.[14] Thompson elected free agency following the season on November 6.[15]
Thompson underwent surgery to repair a partial flexor tear in October 2023, and missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign as a result.[16]
Atlanta Braves
editOn October 19, 2024, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[17]
Personal life
editThompson and his wife, Ashlyn, married in December 2017 and have one daughter together.[18]
References
edit- ^ "BSB: Three Mavericks selected on Day 2 of MLB Draft".
- ^ "Zach Thompson College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".
- ^ Todd, Jeff. "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Byrne, Connor. "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/3/20". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ Jordan McPherson (June 5, 2021). "Updates on Sixto, Cabrera injuries and where Marlins might turn for starting pitching". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "Marlins vs. Red Sox – Box Score". ESPN.com. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Marlins vs. Red Sox – Play-By-Play". ESPN.com. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Marlins get Stallings from Pirates in 4-player deal". November 29, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates' Zach Thompson: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays acquire RHP Zach Thompson, trade OF Chavez Young to Pirates". Sportsnet. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Will begin year in Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays demote Alek Manoah to rookie-level Florida Complex League". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Outrighted to Buffalo". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "x.com".
- ^ "Braves Sign Zach Thompson To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ "Dash pitcher Zach Thompson preparing for his future – wherever that leads him".
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- UT Arlington Mavericks bio