The Atlanta Braves recently made a move at the minor league level, signing free agent pitcher Tyree Thompson to a minor league deal. Thompson, a 25-year-old right-hander, was also assigned to High-A Rome.
Atlanta Braves sign free agent RHP Tyree Thompson
Thompson was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the 26th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Edna Karr High School in Louisiana. Spending six seasons in the minor leagues of the Rangers organization since, the right-hander has made 79 career appearances, a majority of which have come as a starter, while also holding a career 4.09 ERA with a 6.3 K/9 and 4 BB/9.
Looking at Thompson's time with Texas, the right-hander's first full season came in 2017 with Low-A Spokane, acting solely as a starter. Making 13 starts that season, Thompson would post a 5-1 record with a 3.15 ERA and 44:22 K:BB ratio across 68.2 IP.
Thompson would go on to post a 4.93 ERA across 111.1 IP in 2018, as well as a 3.30 ERA across 92.2 IP in 2019, both of which came in A-Ball with the Hickory Crawdads. The right-hander would also not pitch during 2020, which was because of no minor league season.
Since 2021, Thompson has also 37.2 IP across the last two seasons (spent time on 60-day IL during 2021 season), a majority of which have come as a reliever. Included in that stretch were 17 IP a year ago with High-A Hickory in which Thompson held a 6.88 ERA and 16:10 K:BB ratio.
As mentioned previously, Thompson was assigned to High-A Rome, the same level in which he spent the 2022 season. The right-hander should begin the 2023 season as an option in the Rome bullpen, and could potentially see time with Double-A Mississippi at some point this year.