According to Matt Eddy from Baseball America, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Jake Thompson. The 25-year-old was a 2nd round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 and he made it as high at AAA in their system.
Thompson has pitched as both a starter and reliever in the minors, throwing a total of 490.2 innings. He has a 3.76 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP and a 175:330 BB/SO ratio. He was hitting 92-95 MPH with his fastball when he was drafted, and his second best pitch was his change-up. Reports said that his curve needed work. Out of college, Baseball America called him a likely bullpen arm. They had him ranked 10th in the Rays’ organization after the draft, but he fell to 30th the next year and never ranked top 30 again.
Thompson pitched winter ball in Venezuela this past off-season, but has not pitched this year. He was injured right before the season started and then got released by the Rays two weeks ago when he came off the disabled list. Thompson has been assigned to Indianapolis.
