Joe
Thompson

9/22/13 Thompson faced the minimum in three innings of work at DeSales University. The 6-foot, 160-pound lefty mixed a 79-81 mph fastball with arm side run with a 70 mph curveball and a dominant 70 mph changeup. Thompson allowed one hit but got a double play ball to get out of the inning. All told, he retired seven batters on ground balls and struck out one.

6/12/13 Thompson earned MVP honors for the White Team following a masterful three innings on the mound. The 6-foot, 155-pound lefty defines the word "crafty", but don't let his velocity fool you, he can really pitch. Thompson faced nine batters over three innings and retired them all. He sat 76-78 with his fastball out of a 3/4 arm slot with cut and arm side run action depending on the hitter and the count. His 66 mph 1/7 breaking curveball is still a work in progress, but his 67 mph changeup needs no work. The pitch was the best pitch delivered by any pitcher at the event, falling off the table from the same arm slot and at the same arm speed as his fastball. Thompson also flashed a 69 mph slider that has potential to be an out pitch for him. He worked out defensively in the outfield, showcasing an 81 mph arm with good carry to his throws.

2/23/13 Thompson sat 73-76 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He was consistently down in the zone and had significant movement to all of his pitches. Thompson also showed a 67 mph curveball and a 66 mph changeup with significant arm-side run and late sink. While his numbers don't jump off the page his ability to pitch does. Thompson will get college hitters out on a routine basis.

1/26/13 Thompson continues to impress with his understanding of how to pitch. The 5-foot-11, 140-pound lefty sat 74-76 with his fastball that showed good arm side run. His curveball has tight 1/7 break at 71 mph and he displayed a plus changeup at 67-69 mph. Thompson's changeup may be the best we have seen in Pennsylvania since PBR began operations in June of 2012. It is thrown at fastball arm speed and has late, hard downward movement. Thompson is a strike thrower who lives down in the zone and on the corners.

10/12/12 Thompson did not participate in the showcase portion of the event, but he certainly impressed in game play. Thompson faced only six hitters in his two innings of work, not allowing a ball to leave the infield. The 5-foot-11, 140-pound lefty used a 76mph fastball with good arm side run, a 68mph curveball with 1/7 break and a 63mph changeup with good late movement to quiet the Black Team's bats. Thompson keeps the baseball down in the zone and out of the middle of the strike zone. Offensively, Thompson went 2-for-4 with a double.

6/14/12 Thompson was one of the most impressive pitchers at the event. His polished high 3/4 arm delivery resulted in substantial movement on all his pitches. Thompson's change up had good sink to it and was consistently down in the zone. The left hander pumped strike after strike to quality locations during his bullpen session.