Chicago Cubs: Keegan Thompson keeping it real to kick off his season

Despite not making a start for a month, Keegan Thompson started his 2019 campaign off on the right foot as the Chicago Cubs’ young starter showed up big.

Born and raised in Alabama, Keegan Thompson attended high school at Cullman High School before moving on to the big time at Auburn University, where the young right-hander showed his talents for three seasons, before landing with the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 2017 June Amateur Draft.

One year before he fell into the Cubs lap, Thompson received the coveted draft day call from the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were intrigued by the hard-throwing righty, even after Thompson’s unfortunate run-in with Tommy John surgery, missing the entire 2016 season at Auburn.

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Returning to Auburn the following year as a Redshirt Junior, Thompson pitched sharp, finishing with a 2.41 ERA in 15 starts for Tigers. Impressively, Thompson carried a 0.90 WHIP and a 7-4 record. Theo Epstein and the Cubs liked enough of what they saw in Thompson the following year, leading to the selection and the beginning of an exciting journey for the young pitcher.

A painless transition

Following his draft selection to Chicago’s finest, Thompson skipped rookie ball and instead landed immediately in Short-A Eugene to kick off his professional baseball career. The transition was effortless for Thompson.

At just 22 years of age, Thompson appeared in seven games, starting one for the Emeralds. In that sample size, Thompson pitched to 2.37 ERA, with a respectable 1.00 WHIP and an inviting 10.89 K/9 rate. Within a single season, he was promoted to High-A. Last season beginning in High-A Myrtle Beach, Thompson started 12 games, finishing with a very nice 3.19 ERA and 8.1 K/9.

Midway through the season, Thompson found himself in Double-A Tennessee. He did an excellent job of responding well to the next level up, pitching to a 4.21 ERA and 7.8 K/9 over 13 starts. The promise shone brightly for Thompson and his chances of making it to the Show.

Thompson made a start this season, back in April, when he pitched five shutout and hitless frames, striking out eight, and walking just a single batter. Unfortunately, Thompson hit the DL and has yet to throw since his start over a month ago. Assuming Thompson is fine, it is exciting to see what he will do in his encore.

Future star in the wings?

The Smokies have some quality young arms on their roster and should be highlighted by Thompson himself. Cory Abbott and Tyson Miller, however, sit atop the pitching rankings for Tennessee, as Abbott currently sports a 2.95 ERA while Miller has himself a 0.94 ERA.

Nevertheless, with Thompson back in the mix of things with the skill set he possesses, he should hopefully continue to progress forward in his development and reaching his dream. In a piece from MiLB.com’s Jordan Wolf following that stellar start, Thompson was quoted.

“It was awesome. It was a great team win. We got out early and they scored and tied it up in the eighth inning right there. But it was nice to come back and get the ‘W.’ I’ll never be upset about that.”

All signs point to Thompson as a player with a ton of humility and grace when it comes to baseball. It is clear he loves playing the game and gives it everything he’s got to fulfill his dream. For Cubs fans, a mission to undertake is following the journey and progression for Thompson because he feels like an extraordinary future talent.