Jake Thompson

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2010
A-:  2-1-0, 1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 40.0 IP, 1.4 BB/9, 7.4 K/9
A+:  2-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.36 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 1.6 BB, 4.9 K/9

Thompson had an impressive debut, ranking as the New York-Penn League’s top pitching prospect and the Rays’ tenth best prospect, according to Baseball America.  He also had a strong two-game stint in high A, allowing just two hits and two walks in 11 innings.

2011
A+:  5-7-0, 2.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 114.2 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 4.4 K/9

Making the jump to high A, Thompson put up a good ERA — likely helped by the extreme pitching environment of the Florida State League — but missed few bats due to inconsistency.  He missed a little time with elbow tightness.  BA ranked him 30th in the Rays’ system after the season, the last time he appeared on one of their prospect lists.

2012
AA:  7-12-0, 5.56 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 124.2 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 6.5 K/9

Thompson got hit hard in AA, with opponents putting up a 314/376/459 line against him.  He also struggled with his control.

2013
AA:  11-10-0, 4.18 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 148.2 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 6.1 K/9

The Rays sent Thompson back to AA and he improved, but not dramatically.  His K rate actually slipped.

2014
AA:  1-0-1, 2.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 17.1 IP, 2.1 BB/9, 7.3 K/9
AAA:  4-1-0, 3.15 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 34.1 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 7.9 K/9

Thompson moved to the bullpen in 2014, apart from one start in AAA.  He opened the season in AA, then moved up about after a month.  Thompson improved his walk and K rates, but wasn’t that effective in AAA.  He pitched only sparingly after June.

2015
INJURED

Thompson remained with the Rays through more than half the 2015 season, but never pitched anywhere.  They finally released him in early July and the Pirates signed him to a minor league contract two weeks later.  They assigned him to Indianapolis, but he never made appearance for them, either.

Thompson has one more year before becoming a minor league free agent.  If he’s healthy, he could appear with Altoona or Indianapolis, or both.