Zach Thompson (baseball)

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140+23 innings of work. He remained with Winston-Salem for the 2017 season, pitching to a 2–7 record and 5.50 ERA with 73 strikeouts. In 2018, Thompson split the season between the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Winston-Salem, posting a 6–1 record and stellar 1.55 ERA in 43 games. [2]

In 2019, Thompson split the year between the Triple-A Charlotte Knights and Birmingham, pitching to a 5–2 record and 5.23 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 75+23 innings pitched. Thompson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] On November 2, 2020, he elected free agency. [4]

Miami Marlins

On November 23, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization that included an invitation to spring training. [5] He was assigned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the season.

On June 5, 2021, Thompson was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [6] He made his MLB debut on June 7 as the starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox, taking the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in three innings; [7] he recorded his first major league strikeout against Kiké Hernández. [8] Thompson made 26 appearances (14 starts) for Miami during his rookie campaign, compiling a 3-7 record and 3.24 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 75 innings of work. [9]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On November 29, 2021, the Marlins traded Thompson, Connor Scott, and Kyle Nicolas to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Jacob Stallings. [10] Thompson made 29 appearances (22 starts) for Pittsburgh in 2022, posting a 3-10 record and 5.18 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 121+23 innings pitched.

On January 5, 2023, Thompson was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after the signing of Rich Hill was made official. [11]

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 10, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Chavez Young. [12] Thompson was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2023 season. [13] In 11 starts for Buffalo, Thompson struggled to a 2–4 record and 6.89 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 47 innings of work. On June 6, he was designated for assignment by Toronto following the promotion of Bowden Francis. [14] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Buffalo on June 8. [15] Thompson elected free agency following the season on November 6. [16]

Thompson underwent surgery to repair a partial flexor tear in October 2023, and missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign as a result. [17]

Atlanta Braves

On October 19, 2024, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. [18] On April 1, 2025, the Braves selected Thompson's contract, adding him to their active roster. [19] He made two scoreless appearances for Atlanta, striking out three over 3+23 innings pitched. On April 28, Thompson was designated for assignment by Atlanta. [20] On April 30, he cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, instead electing free agency. [21] The next day, Thompson re-signed with Atlanta on a minor league contract. [22] In 17 appearances (six starts) split between Gwinnett and the Double-A Columbus Clingstones, he struggled to a 2-4 record and 6.57 ERA with 29 strikeouts and one save over 37 innings of work. Thompson was released by the Braves organization on August 18. [23]

Personal life

Thompson and his wife, Ashlyn, married in December 2017 and have one daughter together. [24]

References

  1. "BSB: Three Mavericks selected on Day 2 of MLB Draft". June 6, 2014.
  2. "Zach Thompson College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".
  3. Todd, Jeff (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". MLB Trade Rumors.
  4. "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 2, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  5. Byrne, Connor (December 3, 2020). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/3/20". MLB Trade Rumors.
  6. Jordan McPherson (June 5, 2021). "Updates on Sixto, Cabrera injuries and where Marlins might turn for starting pitching". Miami Herald . Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  7. "Marlins vs. Red Sox – Box Score". ESPN.com. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  8. "Marlins vs. Red Sox – Play-By-Play". ESPN.com. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  9. "Zach Thompson 2021 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  10. "Marlins get Stallings from Pirates in 4-player deal". November 29, 2021.
  11. "Pirates' Zach Thompson: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  12. "Blue Jays acquire RHP Zach Thompson, trade OF Chavez Young to Pirates". Sportsnet . January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  13. "Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Will begin year in Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. "Blue Jays demote Alek Manoah to rookie-level Florida Complex League". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  15. "Blue Jays' Zach Thompson: Outrighted to Buffalo". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  16. "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  17. "x.com".
  18. Eddy, Matt (October 30, 2024). "Minor League Transactions: Oct. 1–29, 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  19. Bowman, Mark (April 1, 2025). "Jesse Chavez's return short-lived as Braves DFA righty". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  20. Perkins, Owen; Foster, Jason (April 28, 2025). "Braves bring back '21 NLCS hero Rosario, option Kelenic". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  21. "Zach Thompson Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  22. "Braves' Zach Thompson: Returns to Atlanta". CBSSports.com. May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  23. "Transactions". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  24. "Dash pitcher Zach Thompson preparing for his future – wherever that leads him". May 30, 2017.
Zach Thompson
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-10-23) October 23, 1993 (age 31)
Burleson, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 7, 2021, for the Miami Marlins