RICH THOMPSON
4/23/79; '00 6th (Toronto); James Madison Univ.
L/R; 6-3, 180
| Level |
BA |
OBP |
SA |
AB |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
| 2000 A- (Tor) |
.262 |
.386 |
.349 |
252 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
45 |
57 |
28 |
|
| 2001 AAA (Tor) |
.245 |
.293 |
.283 |
53 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
12 |
5 |
|
| 2001 A+ (Tor) |
.311 |
.380 |
.374 |
454 |
14 |
6 |
1 |
44 |
72 |
39 |
|
| 2002 AA (Tor) |
.280 |
.361 |
.329 |
554 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
50 |
86 |
45 |
|
| 2003 AAA (Tor) |
.295 |
.373 |
.330 |
112 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
1 |
| 2003 AA (Tor) |
.313 |
.373 |
.352 |
182 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
24 |
15 |
3 |
| 2003 AAA |
.257 |
.333 |
.321 |
109 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
21 |
22 |
3 |
| 2004 AL (KC) |
.000 |
.000 |
.000 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 2004 AAA |
.287 |
.348 |
.404 |
411 |
7 |
13 |
5 |
26 |
62 |
40 |
15 |
The Pirates obtained Thompson from Toronto in exchange for John Wasdin. He's very
fast, but showed no power at all prior to 2004. His walk rate, although not awful,
is on the low side, so it's doubtful whether he'll get on base enough to be a major
league regular. He's played mainly CF. He was not considered more than a marginal
prospect while he was in the Blue Jays' system, but drew some attention with a
good showing in the 2003 Arizona Fall League and was selected by Kansas City in the
Rule 5 draft. The Royals expected to him to be a 5th OF, appearing mainly as a
pinch-runner and defensive sub. This will probably be the best role for him.
The Pirates consider him a good defensive CF, but the Royals were disappointed in
his defensive play. He made their roster to start the season, but after six games
and one AB they returned him. He had a decent season in AAA, but hardly one to
mark him as a prospect. He hit for a fairly good average and began hitting for a
little power, but he walked so seldom that his OBP was unimpressive for a leadoff
hitter. He stole a lot of bases, but his success rate dropped from prior years.
There is nothing in his performance to suggest that he has the potential to be more
than a backup in the majors. He certainly is not as good a prospect as Chris Duffy,
Nate McLouth, or Rajai Davis, which the Pirates recognized in adding those three,
but not Thompson, to the 40-man roster. Although he was eligible again, he was not
selected in the 2004 Rule 5 draft. He'll return to AAA in 2005, where he'll form
part of a speedy OF with McLouth and Duffy. They've both passed him on the depth
chart and are somewhat similar players, so it's difficult to see him having any
long-term role with the Pirates.
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