Track Record: After a dominant junior season at Kentucky the Cardinals drafted Thompson in the first round in 2019, and he made 11 appearances out of the bullpen at High-A Palm Beach after signing. He stood out in 2020 at spring training, then spent the summer at the alternate training site. Thompson made his upper minors debut at Triple-A Memphis in 2021, where he struggled mightily, proving to be far too hittable and posting 5.5 walks per nine innings and a 7.06 ERA.
Scouting Report: Thompson previously stood out for his loud arsenal, including a fastball that sat 91-94 mph and topped out at 97, but opposing scouts watched as his velocity backed up significantly early in the 2021 season. He sat 87-88 mph with big running life and pitched with restriction in his shoulder. Thompson's velocity began to pick up as the season progressed, and he was back to sitting 91-94 mph in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 22 batters over 17.1 innings of work. His slider sat in the low 80s in the AFL with a low spin rate and flat break, and his plus curveball had high spin rates exceeding 3,000 rpm. However, the curve has very little power, sitting 69-72 mph. Thompson rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that flashes average. Thompson has struggled with his below-average control at times, and it's imperative that he throws more consistent strikes, especially if his velocity continues to fluctuate.
The Future: Thompson once looked like a mid-rotation arm, but the 2021 season was a step in the wrong direction. He'll head back to Triple-A Memphis in 2022, where he'll look to regain his velocity and improve his strike-throwing ability.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 45. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
