1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Thompson attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, located in Rockwall County. During his senior year, he demonstrated exceptional two-way talent, recording a 12-3 win-loss record with a 1.90 ERA as a pitcher. At the plate, he batted .504 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 131 at bats. His impressive performance earned him recognition as a First-Team High School All-American by Baseball America. Additionally, he was noted as a strong-hitting first baseman during his high school career.
Thompson initially committed to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) on a college baseball scholarship to play for the TCU Horned Frogs baseball team. However, the Detroit Tigers selected him in the second round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, as the 91st overall pick. He subsequently signed with the Tigers, receiving a signing bonus of 532.00 K USD.
2. Professional Career
Thompson's professional career began in the minor leagues of Major League Baseball, progressing through various teams and eventually reaching the highest level before playing internationally and in the Mexican League.
2.1. Detroit Tigers (Minor Leagues)
Thompson made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2012. In his first outing, he recorded six strikeouts over four innings, allowing only one hit. He concluded his inaugural season with a 1-2 record, a 1.91 ERA, and 31 strikeouts over 28.1 innings in seven starts. Right-handed batters hit just .125 against him.
In 2013, Thompson played for the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single-A Midwest League. He appeared in 17 games, making 16 starts, and finished with a 3-3 record, a 3.13 ERA, and 91 strikeouts over 83.1 innings. The 2014 season saw him start with the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League, where he was selected as a mid-season Florida State League All-Star. In July, he participated in the All-Star Futures Game, where he was credited with the win. Following his Futures Game appearance, Thompson was promoted to the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League.
2.2. Texas Rangers
On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Thompson and Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Joakim Soria. The Rangers assigned Thompson to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League. Across his three clubs that year (including his time with Detroit), he started 24 of 25 games, accumulating a combined 10-5 record, a 3.12 ERA, and 130 strikeouts. After the 2014 season, MLB.com ranked him as the sixth-best prospect in the Texas Rangers' minor league system. In 2015, he was named a Texas League mid-season All-Star. In July 2015, Thompson was also selected to represent the United States at the 17th 2015 Pan American Games in Ajax, Canada.
2.3. Philadelphia Phillies
On July 31, 2015, Thompson was part of a major trade, moving to the Philadelphia Phillies alongside Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Alec Asher, Matt Harrison, and Jerad Eickhoff in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman. Initially, he pitched for the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-A Eastern League. Combined with his previous team, he made 24 starts, achieving an 11-7 record, a 3.73 ERA, and 112 strikeouts. Following the 2015 season, Baseball America ranked him as the third-best prospect in the Phillies' minor league system.
In 2016, Thompson played 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. For his exceptional performance, he was awarded the International League Most Valuable Pitcher Award. He was also named an International League Post-Season All-Star and a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star.
2.3.1. Major League Baseball
Thompson received his first MLB call-up on August 6, 2016, making his Major League debut as a starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres in a 9-7 loss, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up 6 runs. He earned his first MLB win on August 12, in a 10-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. During that game, he notably struck out four batters in the second inning. Thompson concluded his rookie season with a 3-6 record, a 5.70 ERA, and 32 strikeouts over ten MLB starts.
During the 2017 season, Thompson split his time between the Phillies and Lehigh Valley. He posted a 3-2 record with a 3.88 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 11 appearances, including 8 starts, in MLB. On April 8, 2018, he recorded his first MLB career save against the Miami Marlins, pitching three scoreless innings to close out a dominant 20-1 victory. Despite this performance, he was immediately optioned to Triple-A. On August 10, he was designated for assignment by the Phillies following the acquisition of Justin Bour.
2.4. Milwaukee Brewers
On August 14, 2018, the Phillies traded Thompson to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. He was then optioned to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. However, his tenure with the Brewers was brief; he was designated for assignment on August 31, removed from the 40-man roster, and outrighted to Triple-A on September 3. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.
2.5. Lotte Giants (KBO League)
On December 13, 2018, Thompson signed a one-year contract valued at 900.00 K USD with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League in South Korea. He was brought in to replace fellow American pitcher Félix Doubront. His time with the Giants was short-lived, as he was placed on waivers and subsequently released by the club on June 9, 2019.
2.6. Detroit Tigers (Second Stint)
On July 25, 2019, Thompson signed a minor league contract, marking his second stint with the Detroit Tigers organization. He pitched in 7 games, including 5 starts, for the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers and Double-A Erie SeaWolves. During this period, he compiled a cumulative 5-0 record with a 1.99 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 31.2 innings of work. He became a free agent following the season on November 4, 2019.
2.7. Los Angeles Angels
On January 22, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization, receiving an invitation to spring training. However, he did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
2.8. Mexican League
Thompson's career continued in the Mexican League, where he played for multiple teams and achieved significant success.
2.8.1. Leones de Yucatán
On May 25, 2021, Thompson signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. In his first season, he made 11 starts, posting a 4-3 record with a 3.02 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 59.2 innings pitched. The following year, 2022, he made 17 appearances (14 starts) for the team, finishing with a 5-4 record and a 6.93 ERA, with 49 strikeouts in 61 innings. Despite the higher ERA, Thompson and the Leones won the Mexican League Championship in 2022. In 2023, he continued to be a starter for Yucatán, making 18 starts and achieving a 6-3 record with a 2.71 ERA, accumulating 83 strikeouts over 89.2 innings of work.
2.8.2. Caliente de Durango
On November 22, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in exchange for Xorge Carrillo. On April 5, 2024, he was loaned to the Caliente de Durango. During his time with Durango, he made five starts, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 25 innings.
2.8.3. Toros de Tijuana
On May 28, 2024, Thompson was returned to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In his five starts for Tijuana during this period, he struggled, posting an 8.35 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 18.1 innings pitched.
2.8.4. Bravos de León
On July 3, 2024, Thompson was traded to the Bravos de León of the Mexican League in exchange for Wendolyn Bautista. In his initial three starts for León, he posted a 1-1 record and a 3.52 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 15.1 innings pitched.
3. Pitching Style
Thompson's pitching repertoire primarily features a sinking fastball and a curveball. He is known for effectively mixing these pitches to induce ground balls and generate strikeouts. Beyond his pitching, Thompson was also noted for his strong hitting as a first baseman during his high school career, highlighting his all-around baseball skills before focusing primarily on pitching professionally.
4. Career Statistics and Achievements
Throughout his professional baseball career, Jacob Thompson has accumulated various statistics, records, and awards across different leagues.
4.1. Pitching Statistics
Here are his career pitching statistics in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the KBO League:
| Year | Team | GP | GS | W | L | ERA | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | PHI | 10 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 5.70 | 53.2 | 53 | 4 | 28 | 32 | 1.51 |
| 2017 | PHI | 11 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3.88 | 46.1 | 50 | 5 | 22 | 35 | 1.55 |
| 2018 | PHI | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.96 | 16.1 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 1.53 |
| MLB Career Totals | 30 | 18 | 7 | 8 | 4.87 | 116.1 | 117 | 9 | 61 | 81 | 1.53 | |
| 2019 | LOT (KBO) | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 4.74 | 62.2 | 45 | 5 | 23 | 60 | 1.23 |
| KBO Career Totals | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 4.74 | 62.2 | 45 | 5 | 23 | 60 | 1.23 | |
4.2. Records and Awards
- All-Star Futures Game selection: 2014
- Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star: 2014
- International League Most Valuable Pitcher Award: 2016
- International League Post-Season All-Star: 2016
- Baseball America Triple-A All-Star: 2016
- Mexican League Champion: 2022 (with Leones de Yucatán)
4.3. Jersey Numbers
- 44 (2016-2018)
- 50 (2019)
4.4. National Team Career
Jacob Thompson represented the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games in Ajax, Canada. As part of the U.S. baseball team, he earned a silver medal in the competition.