Jacob Thompson (minors01)

Jacob Floyd Thompson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 6", Weight 215 lb.
• School University of Virginia
• High School Tunstall High School

• Born November 19, 1986 in Danville, VA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jacob Thompson was one of the top college pitchers in 2007.

Thompson led his high school to two Virginia state titles. He moved on to the University of Virginia in 2006 and was 10-4 with a 2.60 ERA. He became the 4th Virginia Cavaliers pitcher to double-digit wins in a season. Baseball America and Louisville Slugger both named him as a freshman All-American. He was even more effective in 2007, going 11-0 with a 1.50 ERA. In 114 innings, he allowed just 79 hits while striking out 101. He was one of three finalists for the Roger Clemens Award and was a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy. He was a consensus All-American. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in ERA and was a first-team All-ACC pick but lost Pitcher of the Year honors to Bryan Henry. He was 5th in NCAA Division I in ERA despite pitching in a top conference.

Thompson joined Team USA for the summer. He was 1-2 with a 1.27 ERA on the summer, allowing 13 hits in 21 innings; despite his ERA, he tied for the team lead in losses. He got one start in the 2007 Pan American Games, being saved for the Gold Medal game, but allowed 7 hits and 3 runs in 4 innings in a loss to Adiel Palma and the Cuban national team; Alexander Mayeta's 2-run double in the third was the big blow. The USA finished with a Silver as Palma shut them down. Thompson did not finish the summer with the national team; due to workload concerns, he did not accompany the team to the 2007 World Port Tournament.

Thompson had a disappointing junior season and his draft stock fell; he had been expected to be a mid-first round pick entering the year. He dropped all the way to the 160th pick, chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the middle of the 5th round of the 2008 amateur draft. Thompson was signed by scout Billy Best for $190,000 and made his pro debut with the Danville Braves on August 18th, throwing two shutout innings and striking out one.

Primary Sources

• 2007-2008 Baseball Almanacs
• University of Virginia bio