Thompson Leaves Lasting Impact on UK Program
In 2016, Zack Thompson had a huge decision to make. After graduating from Wapahani High School in Indiana, the left-handed pitcher was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. At that point, Thompson was forced to choose between going pro or going to college and pitching for Kentucky.
Ultimately, Thompson chose to come to Lexington, a move that worked out well for both the left-hander and UK. After spending three seasons at Kentucky, Thompson was taken in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft on Monday, as the St. Louis Cardinals made him the 19th overall pick. The lefty knows that his time in Lexington playing against SEC competition proved that he is worthy of such a high draft pick.
“It was huge. How many guys did the SEC have (drafted) last night? 13?,” Thompson said. “It’s just such an important league for development. No other league competes like our league.”
Thompson’s impact on the UK program can be felt on both the team and individual levels. The lefty will leave Kentucky ranked in the top 10 in career hits per nine innings allowed (second), win-loss percentage (third), strikeouts (fourth) and ERA (sixth).
Thompson also ranks among UK’s top 10 in several single-season categories. He’s second in single-season strikeouts (2019), second and third (2019 and 2017) in single-season hits per nine innings allowed, eighth in single-season ERA (2019) and eighth in single-season wins (2017).
The lefty was a key piece of Kentucky winning an NCAA Baseball Regional for the first time in 2017, including a win over his home state Indiana Hoosiers in an elimination game during the regional. Thompson won eight games and notched a save that season, striking out 96 batters in 75.2 innings.
When asked about his best memories in Lexington, Thompson immediately cited that team’s accomplishment rather than anything he did individually. He also noted his special relationship with his catcher.
“Obviously, the NCAA regional my freshman year (in 2017) was awesome,” Thompson said. “The relationships I built with the guys and then, of course, (catcher) Marshall Gei this year. He was a blast to be around every day.”
Now, Thompson will take his three-pitch repertoire to the professional ranks. The left-hander was excited to hear his name called during Monday’s draft broadcast.
“It was an awesome moment,” Thompson said. “I got a call (a few minutes) ahead of time so I knew it was coming and that helped a little bit. Can’t complain at all. Very thankful. You almost blackout. Just unreal. Couldn’t think straight. It was just an awesome moment.”
And as for the Cardinals being the team that selected him, Thompson will be forced to change his rooting interests.
“I was a Cubs fan,” Thompson said of his favorite MLB team as he grew up in Selma, Indiana. “But that all changed yesterday. Go Cards.”
The plan with the St. Louis organization remains up in the air but should be settled soon.
“No clue,” Thompson said when asked what is next. “They said they’d give me the night off and then get together in the next couple of days and figure everything out.”
And once that happens, Thompson and the club will get to work on the next step in his career. Both hope that his impact on the Cardinals organization is as impactful as his career in Lexington was.
