Mets
LOD’s Top 2018 Prospects: New York Mets – Third Base
Our Picks for players to look out for in 2018.
During the 2017-2018 off-season, we here at LOD are putting together a different kind of prospect list than you’re used to seeing. As opposed to typical prospect rankings, we are going position by position to give you the names to look out for in the upcoming season. Keep checking back to see if your favorite player makes our 2018 Top Prospect team.
You can view previous articles in this Mets series here: Pitcher, Catcher, First Base, Second Baseman
Third Base – David Thompson – Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A)
Bats Right/Throws Right
2017 Statistics (Minors): .2.63/.325/.429 .754 OBP, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 133 G
Thompson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 MLB June draft out of Miami University, Florida.
In his first pro season, Thompson started with the Brooklyn Cyclones (Low A), and batted .218 in 59 games, with 10 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 22 RBIs.
The Miami native was promoted to the Columbia Fireflies (Class-A Full Season) for the 2016 season and in 61 games he improved his batting to a .294 clip, and showed more power with his stick by adding 22 doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 58 RBIs. He also earned a selection to the South Atlantic League All Star game.
On July 6th, Thompson was promoted to the St. Lucie Mets (Class-A+) and from July 8th to July 30th, he hit safely in 17 of 21 games, and on September 3rd he hit two home runs en route to a 3 for 5 game, also adding a double and three RBIs. In total, Thompson batted .265, with 12 doubles, six home runs and 37 RBIs in 55 games.
This past summer Thompson continued his quick rise through the organization as he hit .263 with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A), adding 34 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 95 RBIs in 116 games.
In 15 games in the recently completed Arizona Fall League, Thompson batted .328 (19 for 58), with 11 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples, a home run and five RBIs.
Thompson is ranked #24 on the Mets Top 30 Prospect list and third behind Mark Vientos and Jhoan Urena.
The Mets captain, David Wright, may never make it on the field again due to his back and neck ailments and that means the Mets would be best inclined to have a pure third baseman on the roster rather than continuing to transform other players into that position.
Thompson who has played only third base for his brief minor league career, showed improvement over the last two seasons. In 2016 with Columbia and St. Lucie, he had a combined .937 FLD%, committing 18 errors in 287 chances. During the summer with the Rumble Ponies, Thompson had a .963 FLD%, committing 12 errors in 322 chances, while also turning 21 double plays.
The future looks bright for the third base prospect, especially if he continues improving at the plate and with his defense.
Other Notable Third Baseman to watch out for in 2018:
Mark Vientos
Jhoan Urena
David Conde
David is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legends On Deck and Co-Host of the Legends On Deck Podcast. A lifelong sports fan with a special passion for the New York Mets and New York Knicks, David has spent more than a decade covering the sports he loves. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Senior Editor for MetsMerized Online and Mets Minors, and in June 2014 fulfilled a lifelong dream by covering the New York Mets at Citi Field as a credentialed writer. As Legends On Deck has expanded beyond baseball, David has enjoyed diving into more sports, learning along the way and sharing those stories with readers and listeners. Married for over 27 years and the proud father of two adult sons, he continues to connect with sports fans through Legends On Deck, the podcast and social media.
