Former Chemeketa Pitcher Ryan Thompson Thriving in MLB Postseason for Arizona Diamondbacks

MILWAUKIE, Wisc. - Former Chemeketa Community College baseball pitcher Ryan Thompson helped lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to the National League Division Series with a pair of wins over the Milwaukie Brewers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thompson pitched in both wins, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings for the D-Backs. He recorded holds in both games to help maintain Arizona's leads in each win with two strikeouts and two base runners allowed.

Thompson (31) is in his fourth season in the majors, having previously pitched the past three seasons for the Tampa Bay Rays. Thompson was signed by the Diamondbacks on Aug. 19 this season to bolster their pen, posting an impressive 0.69 ERA in 13 appearances for Arizona during the regular season. 

This isn't Thompson's first time pitching in the MLB postseason as he was also impressive for the Rays in 2020 when he allowed just two earned runs over 9.1 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. During the Rays postseason run, Thompson had three scoreless outings in the World Series where the Rays eventually fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.

Thompson was a former standout pitcher for Chemeketa in 2011-12 where he posted a 3.03 ERA in 38.2 innings pitched. He went onto play for Campbell University where he was the 2013 Big South Pitcher of the Year and a Second Team All-American. In 2014, Thompson earned Third Team All-American after winning Big South Conference Tournament MVP. He was eventually drafted by the Houston Astros with the first pick of the 23rd round. 

Thompson and the D-Backs next take on the Dodgers in the NLDS, which begins on Saturday.

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