Seattle Mariners Top 20 Prospects: #18 RHP Dylan Thompson

Dylan Thompson comes in at number 18 in SoDo Mojo’s list of the top 20 prospects in the Seattle Mariners organization.

Many wondered whether the Seattle Mariners would be able to sign Dylan Thompson when they drafted him in the fourth round in 2015, but no one questioned his talent. The young right-hander was committed to attend Coastal Carolina University, but the M’s lured him away with a big signing bonus.

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Thompson excelled during his first professional season in 2015. The Mariners opted to send him to their affiliate in the Arizona Developmental League. Thompson dominated, going 2-1 and posting a 2.36 ERA across 26.2 innings of work. He started 5 contests and appeared in an additional 4 games as a reliever. Thompson tallied 25 strikeouts and issued just 8 free passes. He held the opposition to 0.97 walks/hits per inning and a .191 batting average.

These kinds of numbers are nothing new for Thompson, who starred at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, SC. He dazzled scouts during his high school career, racking up 16 wins and never posting an earned run average higher than 1.99 during his three seasons on varsity.

Many anticipated Thompson would be selected in the first two rounds of the 2015 draft, but sign-ability issues pushed him down some teams’  draft boards. Thankfully, the Mariners were able to get a deal done with the talented righty.

The 19-year-old has the size to be a starting pitcher in the Major Leagues one day. Thompson stands tall at 6’2 and tips the scales at 180 pounds. He should add more muscle as his body matures during the next few years. Scouts suggest his frame is more than capable of handling the pounding of pitching every fifth day in the big leagues.

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Thompson utilizes an impressive four-pitch arsenal, featuring a fastball, curveball, slider and cutter. His low 90’s fastball is his best pitch right now, and it projects to be his most effective pitcher in the future as well. Time will tell how his other pitches develop, but I have a feeling the Mariners are going to be very patient with Thompson.

It wasn’t just Thompson’s skills on the mound that attracted scouts. He is also a very heady kid, as evidenced by his 3.7 grade point average during his high school days. Thompson never got into trouble at school or outside of it. By all accounts, he is a very mature young man.

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Personally, I believe Jerry Dipoto and his staff are going to play it safe with Dylan Thompson in 2016. In the past, Seattle has had problems rushing young players through the minor-leagues. Look for Thompson to open the season back in the Arizona Developmental League. I expect the Mariners to give him a couple of starts in Clinton with the LumberKings before assigning him to the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League in June.