Ben Thompson

Benjamin David Thompson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 190-220 lb.
• School Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• High School Glendowie College

• Born December 21, 1997 in Auckland New Zealand

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Ben Thompson was one of five players 18 years or younger on the New Zealand national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, alongside Jimmy Boyce, Jason Matthews, Jacob Curry and Kyle Glogoski. Only Glogoski was younger. He was one of three pitchers New Zealand did not use in the tournament; Curry and Ben Hughlon were the others. Thompson had previously played for New Zealand in the 18U Oceania Championship. He came to the US for college baseball and was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the 28th round of the 2019 amateur draft. He signed for a $100,000 bonus. The scout was Ricky Wilson. He was the third New Zealand native to be picked in the MLB draft.

Thompson allowed one run in 4 2/3 IP for the 2019 GCL Braves. The 2020 minor league season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021, going 3-1 with a 7.11 ERA for the Augusta GreenJackets. He fanned 61 in 50 2/3 innings but gave up 13 dingers. He split 2022 between the FCL Braves (3 UER in 1 IP) and Augusta (0 R in 4 IP). He then suited up for New Zealand in the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, one of three 2022 minor leaguers on the team (alongside Matthews and Nikau Pouaka-Grego). He was the only person to pitch in both of New Zealand's games. In their opener, he started and lost against Gabriel Barbosa and Brazil. He allowed a double to Gabriel Maciel, then Vítor Ito grounded out and a wild pitch scored a run. Tim Lopes singled, Leonardo Reginatto doubled and Christian Lopes hit into a run-scoring error by Thompson. Lucas Rojo grounded in a third run, Daniel Molinari walked and Fernando Luciano got plunked. Jimmy Boyce relieved and let an inherited run score. He closed out their 4-1 loss to Argentina, relieving Connor Gleeson. That outing went much better as he struck out José Gerez, got Andrés Kim on a grounder and fanned Lucas Stalman.