Former Wildcat Zack Thompson earns save in MLB debut

On Friday morning, Zack Thompson was called up by the St. Louis Cardinals from the AAA. By Friday night, he recorded his first-ever MLB save.

The 24-year-old, left-handed Thompson replaced St. Louis’ Miles Mikolas to start the sixth inning. The former Wildcat then threw four innings of three-hit ball, giving up just one run while striking out three in a 14-5 win for the Cardinals over the Chicago Cubs. As a result, he was awarded the save.

Not a bad way to begin your MLB career, eh?

Zack Thompson tosses four innings out of the bullpen and earns the save in his MLB debut. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/mxPRlIhVX7

— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) June 3, 2022

No. 9 @Cardinals prospect Zack Thompson becomes the 8th player since at least 1901 to pitch 4 or more innings and record a save in his @MLB debut, the first in 45 years.

4 IP
3 H
1 R
1 BB
3 K pic.twitter.com/b1Qe3KxtOK

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 3, 2022

Thompson, who was a star pitcher at Kentucky from 2017 to 2019 before getting drafted by the Cardinals with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, wore the revered No. 57 on his back Friday. The number previously belonged to Darryl Kile, who was a star pitcher for the Cardinals before tragically passing away at age 33 due to coronary artery disease in 2002.

“It’s definitely a humbling feeling,” Thompson said previously of getting to wear No. 57. “I can’t really say what it feels like because I haven’t worn the number yet. I know it will feel good, especially if it is here at Wrigley. I think that will mean a lot. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and living up to that number. “

Thompson, considered the Cardinals’ No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has spent the first few years of his professional career in the minor leagues. He was with the Memphis Redbirds (AAA) for most of the 2022 season before getting the call-up on Friday. Thompson has posted a 2-2 record with the Redbirds this season with a 4.67 ERA to go along with 56 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings of action.

During his time in Lexington, Thompson was viewed as an elite MLB prospect. He was an 11th-round draft pick in 2016 before deciding to attend college. While at Kentucky, he was named a freshman All-American in 2017 and a Second-Team All-American in 2019. According to UK, Thompson “currently ranks second on the program’s all-time hits allowed per nine innings chart, third in career winning percentage and sixth in career ERA.”