Jake Thompson

Position: RHSP
Level: Triple-A
Affiliate: Lehigh Valley IronPigs
League:
Age: 22
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 235
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 2nd Rd., 2014 First-Year Player Draft (DET); Acquired 7/2015 in Cole Hamels trade from TEX.

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 60 FB, 60 SL, 50 CH, 50 command

Strengths: Durable, innings-eater body; two-way life on fastball; sinking action will generate ground balls at a high level; four-pitch mix; slider is major league-ready out pitch with mid-80s velocity and tilt; can manipulate zone with FB/SL combo; will pitch backwards; high pitchability; command has taken the necessary steps forward.

Weaknesses: Curveball more of a “show-me, off-balance pitch” than true weapon; 40 grade; command can become loose in zone at times; fastball can get squared-up if spot is missed; changeup command needs improvement within strike zone to become true average grade.

Role Ceiling: 55; #3 SP.

Risk: Low; upper-minors experience with quality arsenal, intelligence and pitchability.

Short Summary: Thompson has moved around a few organizations but it’s not because of a lack of talent. Traded for both Joakim Soria and Cole Hamels, teams love his starters’ build and four-pitch mix. The fastball can show arm-side run and also sinking action in a lower velocity band. While being able to manipulate his fastball, Thompson’s out pitch is clearly his slider, which is thrown in the middle 80s with late, sharp break and tilt. The Phillies’ top pitching prospect lacks true frontline upside, but he makes up for it with his quality arsenal, durable body, high intelligence and pitchability on the mound. He is close to major league-ready at present and we should see him in Philadelphia sometime in 2016.