Jake Thompson

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jake Thompson

|image = Jake Thompson (37123132525) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Thompson pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017

|width =

|team = Caliente de Durango

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|1|31}}

|birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 6

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Philadelphia Phillies

|debut2league= KBO

|debut2date = March 26

|debut2year = 2019

|debut2team = Lotte Giants

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2018 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 7–8

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.87

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 81

|stat2year = 2019 Season

|stat2league = KBO

|stat21label = Win–loss record

|stat21value = 2–3

|stat22label = Earned run average

|stat22value = 4.74

|stat23label = Strikeouts

|stat23value = 60

|awards =

|teams =

Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Lotte Giants ({{by|2019}})

|show-medals=no

|medaltemplates=

{{Medal|Country|{{bb|USA}}}}

}}

Jacob Keith Thompson (born January 31, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.

Career

=Amateur career=

Thompson attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/where-are-they-now-former-rockwall-heath-star-pitcher-jake-thompson.html/|title=Where are they now: Former Rockwall-Heath star pitcher Jake Thompson|work=High School Sports Blog|access-date=December 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216183635/http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/where-are-they-now-former-rockwall-heath-star-pitcher-jake-thompson.html/|archive-date=December 16, 2014|url-status=dead}} There, in his senior year he was 12-3 with a 1.90 ERA and batted .504 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 131 at bats, and Baseball America named him a First-Team High School All-American.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jake-thompson-622097 |title=Jake Thompson Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com |publisher=MLB.com |date= |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He committed to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) on a college baseball scholarship to play for the TCU Horned Frogs baseball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-103786278|title=Pitcher Jake Thompson's 'crazy' year brings him home to Texas Rangers - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 16, 2014}} However, the Detroit Tigers selected Thompson in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft,{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120605/SPORTS02/120605044/detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-jake-thompson|title=MLB draft: Tigers take Jake Thompson with 2nd-round pick (with videos)|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=December 16, 2014}}{{cite web|author=George SippleDetroit Free Press |url=http://www.rockwallheraldbanner.com/local/x1968183793/Tigers-select-Texas-high-school-pitcher-Jake-Thompson-with-first-pick-in-MLB-draft |title=Tigers select Texas high school pitcher Jake Thompson with first pick in MLB draft |publisher=Rockwallheraldbanner.com |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} and he signed with the Tigers for a $532,000 signing bonus.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/06/detroit_tigers_sign_15_draft_p.html |title=Detroit Tigers sign 15 draft picks, including team's top pick Jake Thompson |publisher=MLive.com |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2018}}

=Detroit Tigers=

==Minor leagues==

File:Jake Thompson (14415898998) (cropped).jpg in 2014]]

He made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, recording six strikeouts over four innings with one hit allowed.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/06/detroit_tigers_top_draft_pick.html|title=Detroit Tigers' top draft pick Jake Thompson strikes out six in four innings in professional debut|work=MLive.com|date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=December 16, 2014}} He finished his first season 1–2 with a 1.91 earned run average (ERA) and 31 strikeouts over {{frac|28|1|3}} innings in seven starts. Right-handed batters hit .125 against him.

Thompson played the 2013 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single-A Midwest League.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/index.ssf/2013/05/jake_thompson_tigers_top_pick.html|title=Jake Thompson, Tigers' top pick in 2012, debuts tonight with Whitecaps with familiar coach by his side|work=MLive.com|date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=December 16, 2014}} He pitched in 17 games with 16 starts, going 3–3 with a 3.13 ERA and 91 strikeouts in {{frac|83|1|3}} innings. He started the 2014 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League.{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20140402/NEWS/140409830?tc=ar|title=Armed and Ready: Flying Tigers Boast Top Pitching Prospect|work=TheLedger.com|access-date=December 16, 2014}} He was a mid-season Florida State League All Star.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/jake-thompson-622097 |title=Jake Thompson Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date= |access-date=August 18, 2018}} In July, Thompson played in the All-Star Futures Game, and was promoted to the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/07/detroit_tigers_promote_startin.html|title=Detroit Tigers promote prospect Jake Thompson to Double-A Erie day after Futures Game appearance|work=MLive.com|date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=December 16, 2014}}

=Texas Rangers=

On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Thompson and Corey Knebel to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Joakim Soria.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140324215052/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/det/detroit-tigers-acquire-alex-gonzalez-from-baltimore-orioles-for-steve-lombardozzi?ymd=20140324&content_id=70002916&vkey=news_det Tigers land All-Star reliever Soria from Rangers] MLB.com, July 23, 2014 The Rangers assigned Thompson to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League. After the 2014 season, MLB.com named him the 6th-best prospect in Texas's minor league system. In 2015 he was a Texas League mid-season All-Star.

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On July 31, 2015, Thompson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Alec Asher, Matt Harrison, and Jerad Eickhoff in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/trade-central-hamels-texas-ranger/|title=Trade Central: Phillies Get Impact Talent, Depth In Hamels Deal|first=Ben|last=Badler|work=Baseball America|date=July 31, 2015|access-date=July 31, 2015}} Thompson pitched for the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-A Eastern League.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-147634442 |title=Fightins' Thompson finishes on high note |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} After the 2015 season, Baseball America him the 3rd-best prospect in the Phillies minor league system.

In 2016, Thompson pitched 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. He won the International League Most Valuable Pitcher Award. He was also named an International League Post-Season All Star, and Baseball America Triple-A All Star.

==Major leagues==

Thompson received his MLB callup on August 6, 2016,{{cite web|last1=Zolecki|first1=Todd|title=Phillies designate Oberholtzer for assignment|url=http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/194025840/phillies-dfa-lefty-brett-oberholtzer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808151350/http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/194025840/phillies-dfa-lefty-brett-oberholtzer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2016|website=mlb.phillies.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|access-date=August 7, 2016|date=August 6, 2016}} as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres in a 9–7 loss.{{cite web|last1=Zolecki|first1=Todd|title=Thompson ready for next challenge after debut: Phillies prospect was 'amped up' in first inning of rough outing|url=http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/194104056/phillies-jake-thompson-struggles-in-mlb-debut/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808162100/http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/194104056/phillies-jake-thompson-struggles-in-mlb-debut/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2016|website=mlb.phillies.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|access-date=August 7, 2016|date=August 6, 2016}} He earned his first MLB win on August 12, in a 10–6 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. He also struck out four batters in the second inning of that game.{{cite web|last1=Breen|first1=Matt|title=Howard's Grand Slam Lifts the Phillies|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20160813_Howard_s_grand_slam_lifts_the_Phillies.html|website=philly.com|access-date=August 14, 2016|date=August 13, 2016}} Thompson finished his rookie season with a 3-6 record with a 5.70 ERA and 32 strikeouts over ten MLB starts.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jake-thompson-622097|title=Jake Thompson Stats, Fantasy & News|work=MLB.com|access-date=June 19, 2018}}

During the 2017 season Thompson split time between the Phillies and Lehigh Valley, posting a 3-2 record with a 3.88 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 11 appearances (8 starts).

Thompson recorded his first MLB career save on April 8, 2018 against the Miami Marlins, pitching three scoreless innings to end a 20-1 blowout. Despite this performance, Thompson was optioned Triple-A immediately after the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380407122|title=Maikel Franco, Aaron Altherr crush grand slams as Phillies rout Marlins 20-1|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=April 8, 2018|access-date=June 18, 2018}} He was designated for assignment by the Phillies on August 10.{{cite web|author=Jeff Todd |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/phillies-designate-jake-thompson.html |title=Phillies Designate Jake Thompson |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On August 14, 2018, the Phillies traded Thompson to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations, and Milwaukee optioned him to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24377140/philadelphia-phillies-trade-jake-thompson-milwaukee-brewers |title=Philadelphia Phillies trade Jake Thompson to Milwaukee Brewers |work=Espn.com |date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}} He was designated for assignment on August 31. Thompson was removed from the 40–man roster and outrighted to Triple-A on September 3. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018}}

=Lotte Giants=

On December 13, 2018, Thompson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20181213007800315|title=Lotte Giants bring back one American pitcher, sign new one for 2019|publisher=English.yonhapnews.co.kr |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018}}

On June 9, 2019, he was released by the Giants.{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190610003200315|title=Last-place baseball club replaces American starter with Canadian right-hander|publisher=English.yonhapnews.co.kr|date=June 9, 2019|access-date=June 9, 2019}}

=Detroit Tigers (second stint)=

On July 25, 2019, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.{{Cite web|title=Detroit Tigers give RHP Jake Thompson minor league deal|url=https://motorcitybengals.com/2019/07/25/detroit-tigers-sign-thompson/|access-date=2023-06-04|website=motorcitybengals.com|date=July 25, 2019 |language=en}} In 7 games (5 starts) for the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers and Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Thompson registered a cumulative 5-0 record and 1.99 ERA with 34 strikeouts in {{fraction|31|2|3}} innings of work. He became a free agent following the season on November 4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2019/11/tigers-minor-league-free-agents-include-5-who-played-in-detroit-this-year.html|title=Tigers' minor-league free agents include 5 who played in Detroit in 2019|last=Woodbery|first=Evan|date=2019-11-07|website=mlive|language=en|access-date=2019-11-08}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On January 22, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization. Thompson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=2023-05-29|website=mlb.com|language=en}} He became a free agent on November 2.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 21, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Leones de Yucatán=

On May 25, 2021, Thompson signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{cite web|url=https://www.leones.mx/el-abridor-jake-thompson-llega-a-las-fieras/|title=El abridor Jake Thompson llega a las fieras|work=leones.mx|date=May 26, 2021 |language=Spanish|access-date=May 27, 2021}} He started 11 games for the team, posting a 4-3 record and 3.02 ERA with 35 strikeouts in {{fraction|59|2|3}} innings pitched. The following year, Thompson made 17 appearances (14 starts) for the team, but struggled to a 5-4 record and 6.93 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 61 innings of work. Thompson won the Mexican League Championship with the Leones in 2022.{{Cite web|title=LMB King's Series — Championship Series 2022 — Round-up|url=https://gambyl.com/en/baseball/lmb/lmb-kings-series-championship-series-2022-round-up/|access-date=2023-05-10|website=gambyl.com|date=September 20, 2022 |language=en}} In 2023, Thompson made 18 starts for Yucatán, posting a 6–3 record and 2.71 ERA with 83 strikeouts in {{fraction|89|2|3}} innings of work.

=Caliente de Durango=

On November 22, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in exchange for Xorge Carrillo.{{Cite web|title=Toros: Se une Jake Thompson a rotacíon de Tijuana|url=https://www.milb.com/news/toros-se-une-jake-thompson-a-rotacion-de-tijuana|access-date=November 24, 2023|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} On April 5, 2024, Thompson was loaned to the Caliente de Durango.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 5 de abril de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-5-de-abril-de-2024|access-date=April 9, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In five starts, he posted a 1–2 record with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 25 innings.

=Toros de Tijuana=

On May 28, 2024, Thompson was returned back to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.{{Cite tweet|user=TorosDeTijuana|number=1795524972565459359|title=🚨 Movimientos en roster 🔴 Baja: Luis Perdomo (Japón) 🟢 Altas: Teddy Stankiewicz #23 PD, Jake Thompson #81 PD, Gabriel Ponce #22 PD|date=28 May 2024|language=ES|access-date=28 May 2024}} In 5 starts for Tijuana, Thompson struggled to an 8.35 ERA with 7 strikeouts across {{fraction|18|1|3}} innings pitched.

=Bravos de León=

On July 3, 2024, Thompson was traded to the Bravos de León of the Mexican League in exchange for Wendolyn Bautista.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-3-de-julio-de-2024|access-date=July 4, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In 3 starts for León, he posted a 1–1 record and 3.52 ERA with 9 strikeouts across {{fraction|15|1|3}} innings pitched. He became a free agent following the season.