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Keegan Thompson

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Keegan Thompson
Chicago Cubs – No. 71
Pitcher
Born: (1995-03-13) March 13, 1995 (age 29)
Cullman, Alabama, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 2, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record17–11
Earned run average3.64
Strikeouts225
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World Youth Baseball Championship
Gold medal – first place 2011 Mexico Team
18U Baseball World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2012 Seoul Team

Keegan Cole Thompson (born March 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.

Amateur career

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Thompson attended Cullman High School in Cullman, Alabama.[1] As a sophomore in 2011, he was named Alabama's Gatorade Player of the Year after finishing the season with a 9–2 record and a 1.70 ERA along with batting .433 with 17 home runs and 66 RBIs.[2] He won the award once again as a senior in 2013 after going 9–2 with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 124 batters in 72+2⁄3 innings pitched, along with hitting .420 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs.[3] Undrafted out of high school, he enrolled at Auburn University where he played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers.[4]

College career

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In 2014, as a freshman for the Tigers, Thompson appeared in 14 games (with 12 being starts) in which he compiled a 5–3 record with a 2.01 ERA, earning him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.[5] As a sophomore in 2015, he pitched to a 7–3 record with a 3.10 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) in a season that was shortened due to elbow issues.[6]

He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2015, and was forced to miss the whole 2016 season.[7] Despite not pitching in 2016, he was still drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB draft, but did not sign.[8] He returned to Auburn in 2017 as a redshirt junior, compiling a 7–4 record and a 2.41 ERA in 15 starts.[9]

Professional career

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Thompson was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[10] He signed with the Cubs for $511,900.[11] After signing, Thompson made his professional debut with the Eugene Emeralds where he was 1–2 with a 2.37 ERA in 19 innings pitched. He began 2018 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, with whom he was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week twice.[12][13] After compiling a 3–3 record with a 3.19 ERA in 12 starts, he was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies in June.[14] He spent the remainder of the season with the Smokies, going 6–3 with a 4.06 ERA in 13 starts.[15]

Thompson returned to Tennessee to begin the 2019 season.[16] He experienced elbow soreness.[17] He was placed on the injured list in April with an elbow injury,[18][19] and only made two rehab appearances during the remaining months of the season. He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox following the season.[20] There, he was 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in seven starts.[21]

Thompson did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] On November 20, 2020, the Cubs added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[23]

On May 1, 2021, Thompson was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[24] He made his MLB debut the next day, pitching a shutout inning of relief against the Cincinnati Reds. On May 8, he recorded his first win after pitching three innings of relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[25] He was put on the 10-day injured list at the end of the season with right shoulder inflammation and soreness.[26] For his 2021 rookie year with the Cubs, he went 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and 31 walks over 53+1⁄3 innings.[27]

On April 9, 2022, Thompson was ejected for throwing at Andrew McCutchen of the Milwaukee Brewers. Thompson was also fined and suspended for three games.[28] On September 29, Thompson earned his second career save after tossing three scoreless innings of relief against the Philadelphia Phillies.[29] In 29 games (17 starts), he posted a 10–5 record and 3.76 ERA with 108 strikeouts across 115 innings pitched.[30]

In 2023, Thompson made 19 appearances out of the bullpen for Chicago, recording a 4.71 ERA with 26 strikeouts across 28+2⁄3 innings of work.[31] He was optioned to the Triple–A Iowa Cubs to begin the 2024 season.[32]

References

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  1. ^ "Former Bearcat Thompson shines on mound in Birmingham". The Cullman Tribune. July 24, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  2. ^ Times, Stan VeitchThe Cullman. "PREP BASEBALL: Cullman High sophomore wins Gatorade Alabama Player of Year". The Cullman Times. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "Alabama Baseball POY: Keegan Thompson". usatodayhss.com. May 28, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "Keegan Thompson, Auburn Tigers, Starting Pitcher". 247Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  5. ^ "Keegan Thompson named to SEC All-Freshman Team". Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Vitale, Josh. "Keegan Thompson pitches gem as Auburn shuts out Holy Cross". OANow.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  7. ^ "Auburn's Keegan Thompson returns from Tommy John surgery to make opening day start". AL.com. February 16, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  8. ^ "Four Tigers selected in MLB Draft Saturday". Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  9. ^ "A look at where Auburn players stack up in MLB Draft". AuburnUndercover. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  10. ^ "Chicago Cubs draft Auburn's Keegan Thompson in 3rd round". AL.com. June 13, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  11. ^ "Former Auburn ace Keegan Thompson signs with Chicago Cubs". AL.com. June 22, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. ^ "Thompson named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. ^ Timmers, Josh (June 22, 2018). "Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 21". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  14. ^ "Chicago Cubs: Former Auburn pitcher Keegan Thompson is throwing strikes for Smokies". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  15. ^ "Keegan Thompson Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "2019 Chicago Cubs Affiliate Preview: Tennessee Smokies' Starting Pitchers Look to Impress". April 2, 2019.
  17. ^ Times, Robert Martinez | Special to The. "BASEBALL: Thompson's journey to MLB takes former Bearcat through Arizona Fall League". The Cullman Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Cubs call up 2017 3rd-round draft pick Keegan Thompson". RSN.
  19. ^ "Where are Auburn's pro baseball players?". al. May 29, 2019.
  20. ^ Norris, Josh. "2019 Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced". www.baseballamerica.com.
  21. ^ "Keegan Thompson College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  23. ^ Gonzales, Mark (November 20, 2020). "Chicago Cubs add 3 to their 40-man roster, leaving 3 spots open for free-agent signings or trade acquisitions". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  24. ^ "Major League Baseball Transactions". Major League Baseball.
  25. ^ "Pirates 2, Cubs 3 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday". MLB.com.
  26. ^ "Next steps for Keegan Thompson after being placed on the injured list". Marquee Sports Network - Television Home of the Chicago Cubs. September 29, 2021.
  27. ^ "Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Gets competition for No. 5 spot".
  28. ^ Crouse, Jake (April 12, 2022). "Thompson suspended 3 games for hitting Cutch". MLB.com. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  29. ^ "Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Earns first 2022 save". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  30. ^ "Cubs Reportedly Working to Trade Pitcher to Clear 40-Man Space, Keegan Thompson May Be Involved". cubsinsider.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Keegan Thompson - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  32. ^ "Cubs Option Thompson, Mervis to AAA as Spring Roster Trimmed to 42". cubsinsider.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
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