Jason Thompson (first baseman, born 1971)
Encyclopedia
Jason Michael Thompson (born June 13, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball
first baseman
.
Thompson attended Laguna Hills High School
in Laguna Hills, California
and the University of Arizona
and Pepperdine University
. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres
in the ninth round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
.
Thompson demonstrated decent power while in the Padres' farm system, clubbing 21 home runs and driving in 109 runs
in . However, he also proved himself to be something of a defensive liability. He committed twelve errors
at first in with the Spokane Indians
, and committed nineteen in 1994 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
and the Wichita Wranglers
.
He earned a call up to the majors in June , and made his major league debut on June 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. After going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and committing a game losing error in a sixteen inning game against the Chicago Cubs
(his second error of the game), he was demoted to the triple A Las Vegas Stars
. He would only play in thirteen major league games, batting
.224 with two home runs and six runs batted in while committing six errors. After sitting out the entire season, he returned to the Las Vegas Stars in .
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
.
Thompson attended Laguna Hills High School
Laguna Hills High School
Laguna Hills High School is a public high school located in Laguna Hills, California which serves the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has the smallest student enrollment of the district’s four schools at approximately 1,700 students. The mascot for Laguna Hills is the Hawk,...
in Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.-Geography:...
and the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
and Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in the ninth round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
.
Thompson demonstrated decent power while in the Padres' farm system, clubbing 21 home runs and driving in 109 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in . However, he also proved himself to be something of a defensive liability. He committed twelve errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
at first in with the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
, and committed nineteen in 1994 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
and the Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
.
He earned a call up to the majors in June , and made his major league debut on June 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. After going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and committing a game losing error in a sixteen inning game against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(his second error of the game), he was demoted to the triple A Las Vegas Stars
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. He would only play in thirteen major league games, batting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.224 with two home runs and six runs batted in while committing six errors. After sitting out the entire season, he returned to the Las Vegas Stars in .