Many have wondered how the Phillies would get top pitching prospect Jake Thompson into the Majors after not trading Jeremy Hellickson, that question has been answered.
With Aaron Nola on the DL with an elbow strain, the Phillies will call on Thompson to replace Nola long term, and he will get that chance Saturday in San Diego against the Padres.
Thompson, as I mentioned above is the Phillies’ #1 pitching prospect, their #5 prospect overall, and the #70 prospect in the Majors according to MLB Pipeline. The big righty (6’4 235), is 22 years old and was acquired from Texas in last July’s Cole Hamels blockbuster trade. Thompson will be the third of the five prospects acquired in the deal to reach the Show.
In 21 starts with Triple A Lehigh Valley this season, Thompson was 11-5 with 2.50 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He is not known for strikeouts as he only has 87 on the season, but the heavy sink on his fastball, to go along with a well above average slider, allows him to create soft contact from hitters.
Jake, who is from Rockwall, Texas,should be a valuble piece in the starting rotation for years to come with his ability to pitch deep into games and keep hitters off balance. He may never be a frontline starter, but he definitley will be an important part of hopefully many Phillies’ playoff runs in the not-so distant future.
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