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Phillies 2017 Season Preview: Starting Pitcher Jake Thompson

By George Gouvas

Sep 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Thompson (44) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Thompson (44) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies pitcher Jake Thompson’s major-league debut was far from good but the right-hander still has the potential to be a major-league starter.

Phillies pitcher Jake Thompson has spent the last couple of seasons as the “must-have” in three separate deals that has seen him go to three organizations (Tigers, Rangers, Phillies), pitching at four different levels, including the majors last season.

Thompson was a model of consistency at each stop in the minors, posting similar strikeout-to-walk ratios (about seven strikeouts and 2.5 walks per nine innings). Upon his arrival from Texas in the Cole Hamels deal that netted Philadelphia five players, inlcuding other top prospects outfielder Nick Williams and catcher Jorge Alfaro along with Jerad Eickoff, Alec Asher, and veteran Matt Harrison completing the package, Thompson easily became the team’s top pitching prospect. He went 5-1 in seven starts with Double-A Reading to finish 2015.

The following season, Thompson continued his dominance, winning 11 of his 21 starts, earning an early August call-up.

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It seemed, almost immediately upon his call-up from Triple-A, Thompson did not trust the same attributes that put him on a major-league mound. His command had completely disappeared. He was pitching away from contact and walking hitters at an alarming, 4.70 walks per nine.

Over ten starts in the bigs, Thompson threw just 53 2/3 innings, after averaging better than six per start in Triple-A.

His walk rate was a career high, while also allowing 10 home runs in that short sample size. He wasn’t missing too many bats, striking out just a little better than five batters per game.

It was obvious – Thompson was fully aware of his new surroundings and feeling every bit of the pressure that comes with being one of the key pieces in a deal for one of the game’s better starting pitchers.

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An injury to Thompson’s wrist has slowed him at the outset of spring training, but it isn’t concerning enough to have an outcome on a possible competition for the fifth starter spot in the Phillies rotation.

The addition of Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox and the healthy return of Zach Elfin from knee trouble will force Thompson to earn his rotation spot coming into 2017. Buchholz has joined Jeremy Hellickson – the projected Opening Day Starter – Jerad Eickoff, and Vincent Velazquez, as near-locks.

Aaron Nola is also expected to start the year in the rotation, but his health still isn’t a certainty. Adam Morgan, former No. 1 pick Mark Appel, and Asher to battle Thompson for the final spot in the event Nola isn’t good to go.

Next: Phillies 2017 Season Preview: Left Fielder Howie Kendrick

Morgan and/or Asher could earn bullpen spots if they are not successful. Thompson will most certainly find himself up the Turnpike in Lehigh Valley if he doesn’t display some of that minor-league magic in camp.

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