South Side Hit Pen Top Prospect 73: Zach Thompson

The bouncy ball battered Thompson in 2019, but with some adjustments, he could see the South Side in 2020.

Getting closer: The bouncy ball battered Thompson in 2019, but with some adjustments, he could see the South Side in 2020. (Kim Contreras/South Side Hit Pen)

Zach Thompson
Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
6´7´´
230 pounds
Age: 26
SSHP rank among all right-handed relief pitchers in the system: 12
South Side Sox 2019 Top Prospect Ranking: 36

As a three-year starter for Texas-Arlington, Zach Thompson posted adequate results, but not the ones you'd expect from someone of his size and stuff. As a junior for the Mavericks, he posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 16 starts (87 innings) as he surrendered 97 hits (.282 OBA) and 32 walks (8.2%) while striking out 62 (15.9%). However, in part because of his stuff and imposing build, Thompson was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.

Over 353 innings in the White Sox system from 2014-17, in which he was primarily a starting pitcher, Thompson combined for a 4.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .258 OBA, 10.1 BB% and 18.9 K%. Finally converted to full-time reliever in 2018, Thompson posted sensational results for both Winston-Salem and Birmingham. In a combined 43 games and 75 ⅓ innings, he posted a shiny 1.55 ERA and 1.14 WHIP as he surrendered just 57 hits (.206 OBA) and 29 walks (9.4%) as opposed to 76 strikeouts (24.5%). Many fans were surprised he wasn't protected prior to last year's Rule 5 draft, but he went unselected.

After dominating in four outings for Birmingham to start the 2019 season, Thompson received an early promotion to Charlotte but wasn't able to take advantage of the opportunity. In 41 games spanning 70 ⅓ innings for the Knights, he posted a 5.50 ERA and 1.45 WHIP by relinquishing 79 hits (.277 OBA) and 23 walks (7.3%) as opposed to 78 strikeouts (24.9%). He was especially victimized by the gopher ball (15), even though his home numbers (4.75 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) actually bettered his road ones (6.59 ERA, 1.43 WHIP).

Thompson sits 92-95 mph with fastball, and he also features an above-average curveball. He's likely to take another run at Triple-A batters in 2020, with a chance to get at least a cup of coffee with the big club.