July 14, 2025
Right-handed pitcher Danny Thompson Jr. was drafted in the 8th round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of UNC Greensboro. Thompson, who finished the season with 87 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings of work; sees himself as an aggressive pitcher.
“I’m an attacker,” said Thompson. “Whoever steps into that box, I’ll find a way to get them out. I’m not going to pitch around anybody; I don’t care who you are.”
Currently using a three-pitch mix of: a 4-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup; Thompson works everything off his fastball.
“I work everything off the fastball,” explained Thompson. “So, vertical ride to a fastball, spin off a slider, it starts up, dots down. Same thing with the changeup, it looks like a heater with 2-seam run to it.”
The righty feels his off-speed pitches tunnels well off his fastball, “They tunnel off each other pretty well,” Thompson added. “They all have that fastball look to them up until the last second when each one of them moves.”
Working primarily out of the bullpen at UNC Greensboro, Thompson talks about what he likes about that role.
“I love the pressure,” stated Thompson. “You can’t complain about a 2-run, or 1-run ballgame going into the 8th, they’re like who they bringing in? He has to be good. Then you go into those roles juiced up, ready to go punch out the side, or get three outs up-and-down, to get our guys high. I love the role, but I could be a starter too.”
Welcome to the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization, Danny Thompson Jr!