1. Life
Benjamin Riley Thompson was born on July 9, 1996, in the United States.
2. Professional Career
Thompson's professional career began in the Minor League Baseball system in the United States, primarily with the Chicago Cubs organization, before he moved to the KBO League in Korea.
2.1. American Professional Career
Thompson spent several seasons developing his skills within the American professional baseball system, rising through various levels of Minor League Baseball.
2.1.1. Chicago Cubs
Thompson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round, with the 338th overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Low-A Eugene Emeralds. In the 2019 season, Thompson played for the Single-A South Bend Cubs, where he posted an 8-6 record and a 3.06 ERA, accumulating 87 strikeouts in 94 innings pitched across 21 starts.
His career experienced interruptions in subsequent years; Thompson did not play in a game during the 2020 season due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also missed the entirety of the 2021 campaign as a result of a shoulder injury.
Thompson returned to action in 2022 with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, compiling a 2-5 record and a 4.42 ERA, with 64 strikeouts in 57 innings over 19 starts. In 2023, he played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, registering a 3-8 record and a 5.64 ERA, recording 78 strikeouts across 25 appearances, 19 of which were starts. He continued with the Iowa Cubs in 2024, making 34 appearances and logging a 6-4 record with a 5.95 ERA, striking out 99 batters over 1071/3 innings pitched. Following the conclusion of the season, Thompson elected free agency on November 4, 2024.
2.2. KBO League Career
Following his time in American professional baseball, Thompson transitioned to the KBO League.
2.2.1. NC Dinos
On December 1, 2024, Thompson signed with the NC Dinos of the KBO League, marking his entry into Korean professional baseball. His role and performance statistics with the team are currently developing as he begins his tenure in the league.
3. Assessment
As Benjamin Riley Thompson has only recently signed with the NC Dinos and is set to begin his career in the KBO League, a comprehensive assessment of his contributions to the team and his overall impact on the sport in Korea is currently premature.