first pitch: 6:40 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Mike Thompson (MLB debut) vs Juan Cruz (1-1, 3.33 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
Right-hander Mike Thompson makes his big-league debut tonight as the Padres look to avoid the sweep at Arizona. Thompson, the Pads’ fifth-round pick in 1999 out of a Colorado high school, becomes the third player from that draft class to reach the big leagues for the Friars, following Mike Bynum (first round) and Jake Peavy (15th).
The 25-year-old Thompson has more than 800 innings in the minors under his belt and is off to a strong start in 2006 at Portland. An article in Wednesday’s San Diego Union-Tribune compares him to Brian Tollberg and Brian Sweeney.
The comparison to Tollberg is pretty accurate: finesse right-hander who throw strikes and lets the defense work behind him. Note Thompson’s minor-league record (entering this season) vs Tollberg’s major-league record:
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB/9 | K/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson (min) | 798.1 | 4.55 | 10.15 | 0.81 | 2.84 | 5.48 |
| Tollberg (maj) | 307.1 | 4.48 | 10.43 | 1.17 | 2.43 | 5.33 |
Again, those numbers were compiled in radically different environments, but this should give some indication of the type of pitcher Thompson is. I wish I could give a physical scouting report — he made 56 starts at Lake Elsinore over parts of three seasons and I know I’ve seen him pitch — but I honestly don’t remember much about the guy. Fortunately, the invaluable PDX Beavers has the dirt on Thompson and much more: Conversation with Beavers Pitching Coach Gary Lance – April 2006.
On the other side of the diamond, Arizona sends converted reliever Juan Cruz to the mound. Cruz, acquired from Oakland toward the end of spring training, always has had electric stuff and is a guy, frankly, I’d just as soon not see in the division. He’s made three starts for the Snakes this season, lasting exactly five innings in each.
Even after two straight losses, the Padres still are 13-3 in May. Now we just need someone to remind them that the month isn’t over yet. Go Pads!
27 Comments
free BP article talking about the Padres
Dave Roberts leads in VORP.. Padre catching numbers might surprise you… As well the Padre offensive VORP is suffering
here’s the link to the BP article that Ryguy mentioned … http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5087
(hey Ryguy, i’ve always wonder’d if your real name is Reuben?)
hhaha. no it is not Reuben… it’s Ryan.. but good try.
I like the Hitting Chart @ mlb.com … http://tinyurl.com/kkmbt … I haven’t seen this before … probably GY linked to it before, but if so, I missed it …
Good start so far.
Great start. Time to salvage this series.
who the hell is this thompson guy?
OK, I read the ducksnorts report on him.
9-0 after 2/3 inning.
That’s the way to start a game.
Holy cow, have the Padres EVER scored 9 runs in the first inning?
This is a fairly good start.
TV guys have been trying to find the franchise high for runs in the first but cannot. I swear there was an Andy Benes start right around the time of the 1993 fire sale where the Pads scored a bazillion runs in the first. Franchise record for any single inning is 13.
It wasn’t Benes, it was Ashby:
http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B08240SDN1993.htm
And it was in the first inning. I’m pretty sure I was at that game. Me and 9765 others.
GY’s knowledge and web wizardry reign supreme. Same box score, different site…
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199308240SDN
Then Adrian Gonzalez goes and does something like that. Ball got out in a hurry.
I searched Retrosheet’s game logs for the Padres’ biggest 1st innings of all-time:
8/24/1993, 13
5/3/1969, 9
5/17/2006, 9
7/3/1997, 7
6/2/70, 6
5/9/71, 6
7/11/83, 6
4/24/84, 6
9/21/89, 6
4/29/95, 6
4/3/98, 6
8/31/99, 6
5/20/04, 6
Crap. This game is getting a little too close for comfort.
May I just say “holy sh..!” Can’t let this one get away.
Wow, Giles is having a game.
Ol’ Clyde remembers the 6.7.87 game against the Braves. Ugleeeee.
Giles is having a *week*. Good to see Linebrink back on his game.
OK, so it looks like we needed the 9-0 start.
question: what has happened to scott cassidy? has he lost his magic?
wow. I’m happy I Didn’t watch this whole game or else I’d be off the wall flipping out… 14-10. yikes. well scott cassidy’s ERA looks better with only giving up one earned run. but I can’t believe this game.
Is there some error in gameday?
well first off:
I’m happy Trevor got to pitch , I figured he wsas going to pitch whether or not this game was close or not cause his last outing was sat and they have a day off thurs. so at least trevor got an inninng. Linebrink went two strong. Cassidy&Embree.: you guys are interesting folk but at least Jim Brower is still on the roster!
Congrats Thompson on your first ML win. hopefully one of many.
Thanks, Vinay, for the numbers! That was quite the epic inning.
I just found this… it’s linked on my name but it is interesting: the win probability chart from last night’s game from fangraphs.com
http://www.fangraphs.com/tgraphs%5C20060517_Padres_Diamondbacks.png
Just wanted to say “WAY TO GO” to Mike on his first win….he’s my cousin! We’re all so proud.