Freshman Thompson Starting to Match the Hype

Expectations were high for Zack Thompson when he arrived on the University of Kentucky campus. After his high school career ended in 2016, Thompson was drafted in the 11th round of last year’s Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. But he turned down a pro contract to come to Lexington.

The left-hander from Wapahani High School in Selma, Indiana took some time to get his feet under him, pitching against collegiate competition. But now that he has made some adjustments, Thompson has proven to be a huge asset to the Wildcats’ pitching staff.

On Wednesday, Thompson pitched six innings against Xavier, allowing just one hit while walking three and striking out five in a 6-0 Kentucky victory. In the process, the lefty picked up his fifth victory of the season against just two losses, after starting the season 2-2. Thompson did not allow any Xavier runner past first base during his 86-pitch effort at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

“I thought that was the best he’s ever has pitched,” said Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione. “They didn’t have a guy reach second base. My favorite thing was, he was attacking with his fastball and he was able to land his breaking ball for a strike. He was able to throw the fastball to both sides of the plate. It was a really special start for him.”

Thompson followed the game plan that his coaches presented to him.

“I was really focusing on getting to the bottom of the zone,” Thompson said. “We talk about it every day in practice and the locker room about, if you leave the ball up, you get hurt. I was able to live at the bottom of the zone today and keep out of too much trouble.”

The freshman has been much better in his last three starts. On April 12 against UT Martin, Thompson did not allow a run, while giving up five hits, walking three and striking out a career-high-tying eight batters. He followed that with a five-inning effort against second-ranked Louisville, in which he allowed just three hits, four walks and four earned runs while striking out seven and earning the victory.

“I got in that little skid where I was struggling to get out of the third inning and it starts taking a toll on you,” Thompson said. “Stick to the plan and eventually (you will) get out of that.”

Kole Cottam was behind the plate on Wednesday, catching Thompson, and he knew that the lefty had good stuff all night.

“ZT is such a great pitcher,” Cottam said. “He did so great. He threw everything for strikes and he just did a great job.”

Cottam, who supported his starting pitcher by hitting a home run in his third straight game, has seen the freshman improve from the fall to now.

“From the beginning of his freshman year, it’s been a big transformation,” Cottam said. “He’s really taken a lot of big steps. Tonight, he did a really great job.”

Thompson’s effort allowed Kentucky to win its third straight mid-week game. The Wildcats have now won five of their past six games and are 29-13 overall.

As for Thompson, he’s starting to live up to the hype that came with him to Lexington. And that could prove to be huge for a Kentucky team that’s preparing for the postseason.