Fourth-rounder a powerful presence for Mets
Third baseman Thompson at heart of Univ. of Miami's offensive attack
NEW YORK -- When Mets scouting director Tommy Tanous referred to the team's top pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, Desmond Lindsay, as "an offensive machine," he could easily have been referring to fourth-round pick David Thompson instead. He could have even been referring to Thompson's whole team.
With Thompson in the middle of its order this spring, the University of Miami tied for first in the nation in total offense en route to a College World Series berth. Late in the season and in qualifying rounds, the Hurricanes posted scores as lopsided as 22-1 over Georgia Tech and 22-3 over Columbia.
Typically, Thompson was in the middle of it all.
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"It's so much fun," Thompson, the nation's collegiate RBI leader and HR co-leader, said in a telephone interview. "Our lineup's pretty stacked, obviously. We all try to compete with each other to see who's going to have the best game and hit the ball farthest, things like that.
"I definitely like to think of myself as a power guy, a guy who can drive the ball to all fields. But I don't think I'm limited to just the power game. I think I'm a pretty selective hitter."
The Draft concludes Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 on MLB.com beginning at noon ET. For the Mets, 30 more players will enjoy something similar to "the best feeling in the world" that Thompson experienced on Thursday, laughing about his grandmother jumping up and down upon hearing the news.
It's possible that Thompson, a third baseman for the Hurricanes who considers his long-term future at that position, could find his ultimate home at first base. Earlier in his career, Thompson underwent two shoulder surgeries, then a third operation surgery to overcome thoracic outlet syndrome, which he called "one of the scariest moments of my life." In the time since, he feels he has regained enough arm strength to stick at third base.
But the Mets will worry about that later. For an organization that has not drafted and developed an All-Star position player since Daniel Murphy way back in 2006, the Mets are thrilled enough with the upside they see in Thompson's bat.
"We do think David's advanced," vice president of amateur scouting and player development Paul DePodesta said. "He certainly has the strength and the physicality to move at least relatively quickly. But we'll see. He still has some business to take care of down there at the University of Miami."
As for that College World Series berth, Thompson and the Hurricanes are scheduled to open up Saturday against archrival Florida in Omaha.
"It's a pretty awesome way to go out as a college player," Thompson said. "It's the pinnacle of college baseball. I'm pumped to get out there. That's another thing I've dreamt of my whole life. This whole week has just been like dreams coming true, over and over."