Keegan Thompson is a talented baseball pitcher who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He has proven to be a valuable addition to the Cubs’ professional team, but how exactly did the organization acquire this promising athlete?.
Background on Keegan Thompson
Keegan Thompson is a professional baseball player, born on September 4, 1995, in Cullman, Alabama. He started playing baseball at a very young age and continued to develop his skills through high school and college.
In this article, we will look at Thompson’s background and professional career.
Early Years and High School Career
Thompson grew up in Cullman, Alabama, where he attended Cullman High School. He played both baseball and football in high school but focused mainly on baseball.
During his high school career, he was named the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year and made the Alabama All-State team. Furthermore, in his senior year, Thompson put up an incredible season with a 13-1 record, 0.87 ERA, and 127 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched.
College Career at Auburn University
After high school, Thompson moved on to play baseball for Auburn University. During his college career, Thompson was one of Auburn’s most reliable pitchers, starting 46 games over his four years.
In his Junior year, Thompson had a remarkable season, pitching to a 2.41 ERA and striking out 82 batters in 93.1 innings. Unfortunately, Thompson was forced to miss his entire senior season due to injury, which hindered his draft stock.
Professional Career
Thompson was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. His strong performances in college despite his injury concerns impressed many scouts, including the Cubs.
In 2018, Thompson was promoted to their Class-A affiliate, the South Bend Cubs, where he pitched to a 3.09 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. He was then promoted to the Advanced-A affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, to finish the 2018 season.
In 2019, Thompson started in Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies and then got promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
Keegan Thompson’s journey to professional baseball was a long and challenging one. Despite injury concerns, he was able to showcase his talent at Auburn University and ultimately got selected in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft.
Thompson is currently a promising prospect in the Chicago Cubs farm system, and many expect him to make his major league debut soon.
The 2017 Mlb Draft
In 2017, Keegan Thompson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. Thompson was a standout pitcher from Auburn University, where he had a successful college career.
He was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the draft and was ultimately chosen by the Cubs.
Thompson’s draft position in the third round was generally seen as a good value pick. Many pre-draft rankings had him going in the second or third round, and he was considered one of the best college pitching options available.
The fact that he fell to the third round was likely due to concerns about his injury history. Thompson had Tommy John surgery in 2016, which limited his playing time that season.
However, he rebounded well in 2017, pitching to a 2.41 ERA in 15 starts for Auburn.
The Cubs’ draft strategy in 2017 focused on adding pitching depth to their organization. In addition to Thompson, they also selected Brendon Little, Alex Lange, Cory Abbott, and Erich Uelmen in the early rounds of the draft.
All five of these players were pitchers, which was a clear signal that the Cubs were looking to build up their pitching prospects.
The Cubs’ strategy makes sense in the context of their roster at the time. In 2017, the Cubs had a strong core of position players at the major league level, including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez.
However, their starting rotation was somewhat thin, and they had a number of young pitchers who were still developing in the minor leagues. By focusing on pitching in the draft, the Cubs were looking to build a long-term foundation for their rotation.
Overall, Thompson’s draft position and the Cubs’ draft strategy both made sense in the context of the 2017 draft and the Cubs’ organizational needs. Thompson has since progressed through the Cubs’ minor league system and made his MLB debut in 2020.
Time will tell whether he will become a successful major league pitcher, but his draft position and the Cubs’ focus on pitching suggest that he has potential to do so.
Thompson’s Minor League Career
Cory Thompson is an American professional baseball player who was selected in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs.
Thompson spent his first two seasons in the Cubs’ minor league system, playing for their short-season A-ball affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds. In 2017, Thompson played 57 games for the Emeralds, where he batted .257 with 6 home runs, 30 RBIs, and an OPS of .774.
In the following season, Thompson played in 49 games for the Emeralds, where he batted .230 with 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and an OPS of .657.
In 2019, Thompson was promoted to the Cubs’ Single-A affiliate, the South Bend Cubs. He played in 73 games for the Cubs and posted a .228 batting average with 8 home runs, 30 RBIs, and an OPS of .715.
Thompson was named a Midwest League All-Star for his performance in the 2019 season.
His Strengths and Weaknesses
Thompson is a versatile player who can play different positions, including shortstop, third base, and second base. His defensive skills are impressive, making him a valuable asset to any team.
Additionally, he has shown significant potential as a power hitter and has consistently hit home runs, despite his low batting average. Furthermore, he has great speed and agility, which makes him a base-stealing threat.
However, Thompson’s weaknesses include his batting consistency and his high strikeout rate. He needs to improve his contact rate and work on being a more disciplined batter.
He also needs to improve his plate discipline, his ability to recognize pitches and avoid swinging at bad pitches.
Overall, Thompson has shown potential as a professional player, and he has the skills and talent to continue to improve his performance on the field.
If he can work on his consistency and discipline, it is possible that he could make it to the Majors in the near future.
Thompson’s Major League Debut
The circumstances of Thompson’s debut:
V. Thompson made his Major League debut for the Chicago Cubs on June 2, 2021, against the San Diego Padres. The 26-year-old right-hander was called up from Triple-A Iowa to strengthen the Cubs’ bullpen.
Thompson got his chance to make his MLB debut after a series of injuries to other Cubs pitchers. Thompson was given a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning, tasked with keeping the score tied at that point.
His Performance in His First Major League Game
Thompson’s debut was impressive, to say the least. He faced the Padres, who have one of the best offenses in the league. In his first inning of work, he retired the side in order, including a strikeout of Padres’ catcher Victor Caratini.
In the eighth inning, he allowed a single to Tommy Pham but quickly retired the next two batters, including a strikeout of Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.
In total, Thompson pitched two innings, allowing just one hit, walking none, and striking out two.
Thompson’s fastball reached up to 97 mph, and his slider was also effective. The Cubs’ manager, David Ross, was pleased with what he saw from the young pitcher, saying, “His demeanor on the mound was impressive.
He looked comfortable, calm, and collected out there.”. . . . .
Thompson’s impressive performance was not surprising, considering his success in the minor leagues. In 2019, he split time between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, posting a 1.55 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched.
He pitched well in spring training this year, but the Cubs did not have a spot for him on their opening-day roster.
Overall, Thompson’s MLB debut was a success, and he showed that he has the potential to be a valuable piece in the Cubs’ bullpen. He will likely get more opportunities to pitch in high-leverage situations as the season progresses.
Who Drafted Keegan Thompson?
Keegan Thompson is a professional baseball player who was born on September 3, 1995, in Cullman, Alabama. He attended Auburn University where he played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers.
Drafted by Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers selected Thompson in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft. However, he did not sign with the team and returned to Auburn for his senior season.
Drafted by Chicago Cubs
During his senior year, Thompson had an outstanding season, catching the eye of many MLB teams. The Chicago Cubs ultimately drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft.
Thompson’s Minor League Career
Thompson began his professional career in 2017 with the Eugene Emeralds, the Cubs’ Class A Short Season affiliate. He later advanced to the Class A Kane County Cougars and Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Thompson’s Major League Debut
After a few years in the minor leagues, Thompson made his major league debut with the Cubs on September 9, 2020. He pitched in two games for the club, allowing only one run in five innings of work.
Who Was the Chicago Cubs First African American Player?
Ernie Banks was the Chicago Cubs’ first African American player. He signed with the Cubs in 1953 and made his debut in September of that year. Banks played in 10 games at Wrigley Field at the age of 22.
He did not play in the minor leagues before joining the Cubs. Banks was one of several former Negro league players to make the jump to MLB. He played for the Cubs for 19 seasons.
Banks was a 14-time All-Star and a two-time National League MVP.
He is regarded as one of the greatest players in Cubs history. Banks was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. His “Let’s play two” attitude and infectious smile made him a beloved figure in Chicago and beyond.
Who are the Cubs Closer With 6 Fingers?
Chicago Cubs closer, Antonio Alfonseca, is known for his unique trait of having six fingers on each hand and foot, called polydactyly.
Nicknames and Pride in Family Emblem
Alfonseca has earned nicknames such as “The Octopus” and “The Dragonslayer” due to his six fingers, which he regards as a family emblem and wears with pride.
Early Life and Baseball Career
Born in the Dominican Republic, Alfonseca began his baseball career playing for various teams in the minors before making his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Success as a Closer
Alfonseca proved to be a successful closer, recording 45 saves in 2000 and earning an All-Star appearance. He also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Atlanta Braves before retiring in 2007.
Legacy and Impact on Baseball
Alfonseca’s unique physical trait has made him a memorable figure in baseball history, showcasing the diversity and individuality of players in the sport.
His success as a closer also highlights the importance of having a reliable closer in a team’s lineup.
To Recap
Overall, the story of how the Cubs got Keegan Thompson is a testament to the team’s commitment to scouting and player development. By identifying Thompson’s potential and fostering his growth as a player, the Cubs have benefited from his skill and dedication on the field.
As his professional career continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Thompson’s contributions help shape the success of the Chicago Cubs.
