Zach Thompson Bio
Zachary Ryan Thompson, known professionally as Zach Thompson, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves. Thompson began his professional journey after being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB draft.
A right-handed pitcher, Thompson has spent time at multiple levels of professional baseball, working through the minor leagues before reaching the majors in 2021. His career has included stints on multiple rosters, transactions between organizations, and a year spent recovering from surgery.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Ryan Thompson was born on October 23, 1993, in the United States. He grew up in a country with a deep baseball tradition and developed an interest in the sport during his childhood. Specific details about his hometown and family are not widely documented in public sources.
Thompson was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 48th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign with the club. He chose instead to attend the University of Texas at Arlington, where he continued to develop his pitching skills and prepared for the next opportunity to enter professional baseball. He was later drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB draft and signed with the organization to begin his professional career.
His decision to pursue college baseball rather than sign with Pittsburgh allowed Thompson to refine his game, gain additional experience against strong competition, and ultimately improve his draft stock. By the time he signed with the White Sox, he was considered a more polished pitching prospect than he had been three years earlier.
Path to Professional Baseball
Thompson began his professional career in the Chicago White Sox organization, making his debut with the rookie-level Great Falls Voyagers. In 2015, he pitched for the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators, where he recorded a 3-8 record and a 4.44 earned run average (ERA) across 16 appearances. The following year, he split the season between High-A Winston-Salem Dash and Kannapolis, posting a 9-8 record and a 3.77 ERA in more than 140 innings.
He remained with Winston-Salem in 2017, where he struggled to a 2-7 record and a 5.50 ERA with 73 strikeouts. Thompson bounced back in 2018, splitting the year between Double-A Birmingham Barons and Winston-Salem, where he produced a 6-1 record and an impressive 1.55 ERA in 43 games. In 2019, he moved between Triple-A Charlotte Knights and Birmingham, finishing with a 5-2 record and a 5.23 ERA with 84 strikeouts in just over 75 innings.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Thompson did not appear in any games that year. On November 2, 2020, he elected free agency, opening the door to a new chapter in his career.
Zach Thompson Career
Early Career (2014-2020)
Thompson spent the first six years of his professional career in the Chicago White Sox system, climbing steadily from rookie ball through the upper levels of the minors. His most impressive stretch came in 2018, when he posted a stellar 1.55 ERA across 43 appearances split between Double-A Birmingham and High-A Winston-Salem.
Although he struggled in 2017 with a 5.50 ERA, Thompson showed enough consistency and durability to remain on the White Sox’s developmental radar. His promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in 2019 signaled that the organization viewed him as a near-term major league option, although the canceled 2020 minor league season delayed his path. After electing free agency in November 2020, Thompson became available to every MLB team.
Miami Marlins (2021)
On November 23, 2020, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins that included an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the 2021 season. His strong performance in the minors earned him a quick promotion.
On June 5, 2021, Thompson was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on June 7 as the starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox, taking the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in three innings. He recorded his first major league strikeout against Kiké Hernández. Thompson went on to make 26 appearances, including 14 starts, compiling a 3-7 record and a 3.24 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 75 innings in his rookie season.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2022)
On November 29, 2021, the Marlins traded Thompson, Connor Scott, and Kyle Nicolas to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Jacob Stallings. The trade gave Thompson a fresh opportunity and a clearer path to a rotation role.
In 2022, Thompson made 29 appearances, including 22 starts, for Pittsburgh, posting a 3-10 record and a 5.18 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 121 and two-thirds innings pitched. On January 5, 2023, Thompson was designated for assignment by the Pirates after the team officially signed veteran pitcher Rich Hill, ending his time in Pittsburgh.
Toronto Blue Jays and Recovery (2023-2024)
On January 10, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Chavez Young. He was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the season, where he struggled to a 2-4 record and a 6.89 ERA in 11 starts. On June 6, he was designated for assignment by Toronto following the promotion of Bowden Francis.
Thompson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Buffalo on June 8, then elected free agency on November 6, 2023. In October 2023, he underwent surgery to repair a partial flexor tear and missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign while recovering.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On October 19, 2024, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. On April 1, 2025, the Braves selected his contract and added him to their active roster. He made two scoreless appearances for Atlanta, striking out three over three and two-thirds innings. On April 28, he was designated for assignment, and on April 30, he cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment, electing free agency instead.
The following day, Thompson re-signed with Atlanta on a minor league contract. He split the rest of the season between Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Columbus, posting a 2-4 record and a 6.57 ERA with 29 strikeouts and one save in 17 appearances. On August 18, he was released by the Braves organization, returning to free agency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thompson’s MLB debut on June 7, 2021, against the Boston Red Sox marked the most significant milestone of his career, and his first major league strikeout of Kiké Hernández remains a memorable early moment. His best major league season came in 2021 with Miami, when he posted a 3.24 ERA in 26 appearances. Through the 2025 season, his career MLB line includes a 6-17 win-loss record, a 4.36 ERA, and 159 strikeouts.
Zach Thompson Personal Life
Family Background and Personal Life
Zachary Ryan Thompson married his wife, Ashlyn, in December 2017. The couple has one daughter together. Thompson and his family have supported his baseball career throughout his journey through the minor leagues and major leagues, including his recovery from flexor surgery in 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Thompson’s 2025 season was split between the Atlanta Braves and their minor league affiliates. He opened the year with two scoreless major league appearances, striking out three batters in just over three innings, before being designated for assignment on April 28. After clearing waivers and electing free agency, he re-signed with Atlanta on a minor league contract the following day.
For the rest of the season, Thompson bounced between Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Columbus, finishing with a 2-4 record and a 6.57 ERA across 17 appearances and six starts. The Braves released him on August 18, ending his 2025 campaign and returning him to free agency once again.
As a free agent, Thompson enters the next phase of his career looking to land with another organization that can offer him a major league opportunity, leveraging his 2021 rookie success and his experience as a starter and reliever.
