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Draft 2008
Draft Central  |  Draft Tracker  |  Draft Reports  |  History
Draft Central

Jacob Thompson (Credit: AP)


Biographical Data
Player Name:Jacob Thompson
Position:Starting Pitcher
School:University of Virginia
School Type:College
Academic Class:Junior
Birthdate:11/19/86
Height:6'6"
Weight:215 lbs.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Report Date(s):05/09/08
Game(s):North Carolina


Focus Area
Comments
Fastball:Thompson will touch 92 from time to time, but generally sits in the 88-91 mph range.
Fastball movement:He's got some movement, pitching from a downhill plane.
Curve:It's kind of two pitches. It's mostly a curve, with a three-quarters break with good depth and sharpness. Then, when he throws it harder, it's more of a slurvy, slider type of pitch.
Changeup:It's an improving pitch and he'll need it to get better to be more effective.
Control:He doesn't throw pitches over the middle of the plate and has had some issues with command his pitches as he has in the past.
Poise:He's a very good competitor on the mound and has worked hard to keep his team in games despite his struggles.
Physical Description:Thompson is a tall, downhill pitcher who creates deception with his delivery and has drawn some comps to Chris Young.
Medical Update:Healthy.
Strengths:When he's on, he's got three or four pitches he can mix up and throw for strikes. He's got deception in his delivery and can induce a ton of ground balls.
Weaknesses:His stuff won't jump out at you and he has to command and mix his pitches well to be effective. He needs to trust his changeup more.
Summary:Thompson entered the season as one of the more attractive college starters, but has struggled for much of his junior year. He's a pitchability-type righty and when he's going right, he mixes his full arsenal well from a downhill plane to get ground balls. While he won't go as highly as was once expected, he could end up being a steal for a team that takes him a little later and hopes that once he wipes the slate clean, he'll return to form.

Full report >