Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson returned from his two-game suspension and he immediately embarrassed the Rays at Wrigley Field.
This dude has ice running through his veins so far in 2022 and it’s been awesome to watch. Thompson came in with runners at first and third, one out and the game tied at two in the fifth inning Monday night. He only needed one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play off the bat of Randy Arozarena.
And then, oh boy, and then Thompson unleashed some FILTH against left-handed hitter Ji-Man Choi. By the way, Choi was hitting .455 heading into Monday’s game and had already driven in a run earlier against Kyle Hendricks. But it did not matter who was up last night because Keegan Thompson was once again making hitters look foolish.
Pour one out for Choi’s ankles.
Keegan Thompson FILTHY pic.twitter.com/ZJs3WwjjJq
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) April 19, 2022
That was the first of five strikeouts out of the bullpen from Thompson over 3.2 innings, extending his scoreless streak to 9.2 innings. In his three appearances this season Thompson has allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out 10 batters.
As of now Thompson will remain in the bullpen to piggyback starters as pitchers are still trying to stretch out after a shortened spring training, but it’s difficult to see Thompson not joining the rotation soon.
In 2021, Thompson made his MLB debut with the Cubs and made 32 total appearances, starting six times. While his results were good, posting a 3.38 ERA in 53.1 innings, Thompson has made adjustments to get better in 2022 and so far, it’s paying off.
Entering yesterday, Keegan Thompson had thrown 9 fastballs in the bigs with 10” of vertical movement or less (Statcast measured). He threw 3 last night, yielding 2 whiffs and a called strike. Increased carry — which less vMov implies — is a huge factor in Keegan’s success so far. pic.twitter.com/iWS4WSOQTt
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) April 19, 2022
Oh and if you didn’t know, Keegan Thompson was a third-round draft pick in 2017 by the Cubs. What’s that? Another Cubs’ homegrown pitcher having success? I thought they couldn’t develop any???
But also I wish they had developed other pitchers much earlier because the front office did deserve the criticism on that.
