Phillies Set to Bring Jake Thompson to the Big Leagues

With Aaron Nola out for the foreseeable future with an elbow injury, the Phillies needed to fill his spot in the rotation. With little apparent hesitation, the club is reportedly set to announce who will replace Nola in the starting rotation.

Top pitching prospect Jake Thompson will reportedly make his major league debut on Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

The team optioned Elvis Araujo and Phil Klein back to Lehigh Valley after their extra-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants Thursday afternoon to make room for Thompson.

Jake Thompson was acquired by the Phillies at last years trade deadline as part of the package of prospects involved in the Cole Hamels trade with the Texas Rangers.

He started his career with the Phillies organization in Double-A Reading, where he went 5-1 with a 1.80 era. He earned a promotion to Lehigh Valley in 2016 where he leads the team in wins (11), strike outs (87), and starts (21). His 11 wins are also tied for the most in the International League.

Thompson was expected to be called up after a trade deadline move involving Jeremy Hellickson, but that never materialized. With Aaron Nola expected to sit out the remainder of the season with an elbow injury, Thompson was the next man up.

In his last 10 starts, Thompson is 7-0 with a very impressive 1.32 era, and 39 strikeouts to just 16 walks.

Unless he struggles mightily, Thompson is in the big leagues for good. The Phillies are relying on him to bring a good fastball/slider combination, and help lead the pitching rotation into the next great era of Philadelphia Phillies baseball.

Next: Philllies, Franco Walk-Off Against the Giants in Extra-Innings