Chicago Cubs: 4 key relievers the team must focus on developing

4 Relievers the Chicago Cubs Must Keep Moving Forward – #1: Keegan Thompson

To finish off this list, we have Keegan Thompson, who was drafted by the Cubs back in the third round of the 2017 draft. The 26-year-old right hander spent three seasons with Auburn where he posted a 19-10  record and impressive 2.46 ERA over 252 2/3 innings of work. This guy has starter potential written all over him.

Throughout his career in the minors, Thompson has posted a 3.25 ERA in 169 frames thus far. Due to the pandemic and subsequent cancellation of the minor league season in 2020, the righty has spent time between the Cubs, Triple-A and the alternate training site. He has fired 10 1/3 scoreless frames in Iowa in three appearances, all of which he started. The hope here is that he can be stretched into a starter and be a piece of the rotation puzzle.

So far with the big league club, he has worked exclusively out of the bullpen. Brilliantly, I might add. This season, he has thrown 40 2/3 innings and showed off his potential with a 2.21 ERA. On July 27, Thompson was optioned back to Triple-A and it figures to only be a matter of time before he is back on the big league roster. At 26 years old with clear ‘plus’ stuff, Thompson will soon get the opportunity to continue making a name for himself. All he needs is his chance.