• Full name Benjamin Riley Thompson
  • Born 07/09/1996 in Evansville, IN
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Louisville
  • Drafted in the 11th round (338th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2018 (signed for $200,000).
    View Draft Report
    A 37th-round pick of the Reds out of high school and a 27th round pick of the Yankees last year as a redshirt freshman, Thompson's stuff is every bit as good as anyone who will be taken in the first round. He has a mid-90s fastball that will tickle triple digits and a power curve that can be a devastating weapon when he's locked in. Despite two pitches that can earn 70 grades from scouts and an average changeup, Thompson has had little on-field success. He missed the 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 4.02 ERA as a redshirt freshman, but had to be shut down at the end of the season with a sore arm. He began this season in Louisville's rotation but slid to the bullpen and has struggled to be effective in either role. Thompson had a 7.26 ERA in mid-May and was allowing more than a hit per inning. Thompson's problem has always been his well below average control. When he runs into trouble, innings quickly get away from him and he's yet to show the ability to diagnose and fix delivery flaws in the middle of an inning.

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Scouting Reports

Career Transactions

  • Iowa Cubs activated RHP Riley Thompson.
  • Iowa Cubs transferred RHP Riley Thompson to the Development List.
  • Iowa Cubs placed RHP Riley Thompson on the 7-day injured list.
  • Iowa Cubs transferred RHP Riley Thompson to the Development List.
  • RHP Riley Thompson assigned to Iowa Cubs.

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