Zach Thompson Bio
Zachary Ryan Thompson, born on October 23, 1993, 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. A right-handed starter and reliever, Thompson came up through the Chicago White Sox system after a standout amateur career in Texas.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Ryan Thompson was born on October 23, 1993, and grew up in the United States. He was first eligible for the MLB draft as a teenager, when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 48th round of the 2011 MLB draft. Thompson opted not to sign with Pittsburgh and instead chose to continue his development at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he pitched for the Mavericks and refined his repertoire against top college competition.
After three seasons of college ball, Thompson re-entered the draft in 2014 and was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round. He signed with the organization and began his professional career that summer, launching a long climb through the minor leagues that would eventually deliver him to the major leagues seven years later.
Path to Baseball
Thompson opened his professional career with the rookie-level Great Falls Voyagers after signing with the White Sox. In 2015, he advanced to the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators, where he posted a 3–8 record and a 4.44 ERA across 16 appearances. The following season he split time between the High-A Winston-Salem Dash and Kannapolis, going 9–8 with a 3.77 ERA over 140 and two-thirds innings, a workload that established him as a durable starting prospect.
He returned to Winston-Salem for the 2017 season and struggled to a 2–7 record and a 5.50 ERA, but rebounded in 2018 at the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Winston-Salem, where he went 6–1 with a stellar 1.55 ERA in 43 games. That performance earned him a brief taste of Triple-A in 2019, and he was on track to push for a major league job before the 2020 minor league season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson elected free agency on November 2, 2020, and signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins a few weeks later.
Zach Thompson Career
Miami Marlins (2021)
Thompson reported to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to open 2021 and earned his first big league opportunity when the Marlins selected his contract on June 5. He made his MLB debut on June 7, 2021, as the starting pitcher against the Boston Red Sox, taking the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in three innings. His first major league strikeout came against Kiké Hernández. In 26 appearances, including 14 starts, Thompson went 3–7 with a 3.24 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 75 innings, a strong rookie showing for a late promotion.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2021–2022)
On November 29, 2021, the Marlins traded Thompson, along with Connor Scott and Kyle Nicolas, to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Jacob Stallings. Thompson slotted into the Pittsburgh rotation in 2022 and made 29 appearances, including 22 starts, finishing with a 3–10 record, a 5.18 ERA, and 90 strikeouts across 121 and two-thirds innings. His heavy workload helped the Pirates stabilize a young staff, and on January 5, 2023, the club designated him for assignment to make roster room for the newly signed Rich Hill.
Toronto Blue Jays (2023) and Injury (2024)
On January 10, 2023, Thompson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Chavez Young and was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. In 11 starts for Buffalo, he went 2–4 with a 6.89 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 47 innings. Toronto designated him for assignment on June 6 to clear a spot for Bowden Francis, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to Buffalo. Thompson elected free agency on November 6, 2023, and in October 2023 he underwent surgery to repair a partial flexor tear, an injury that kept him off the mound for the entire 2024 season.
Atlanta Braves Era (2024–2025)
On October 19, 2024, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, and on April 1, 2025, the club selected his contract and added him to the active roster. He made two scoreless appearances for Atlanta, striking out three over three and two-thirds innings, before being designated for assignment on April 28. After clearing waivers, he rejected an outright assignment to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers and elected free agency on April 30, only to re-sign with Atlanta on a minor league deal the next day. In 17 appearances, including six starts, split between Gwinnett and the Double-A Columbus Clingstones, Thompson went 2–4 with a 6.57 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and one save over 37 innings. The Braves released him on August 18, 2025, returning him to free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thompson works as both a starter and a long reliever, leaning on a deep repertoire built around a sinking fastball and a sharp breaking ball. His ability to absorb innings, demonstrated by his 121 and two-thirds frames for Pittsburgh in 2022, has made him an attractive swing option for clubs in need of rotation depth or bullpen length.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thompson’s most memorable moment came on June 7, 2021, when he stepped on a major league mound for the first time against the Boston Red Sox. He has also been a steady trade chip, headlining the deal that sent Jacob Stallings to Miami and later being packaged to the Blue Jays in the Chavez Young swap.
Zach Thompson Career Wins
Across his major league stops with the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves, Thompson has combined for a small but consistent share of victories in a swing role. His rookie campaign in 2021 produced three wins, while his heavy 2022 workload in Pittsburgh added three more, for a verified major league total of six wins.
Major League Highlights
Thompson’s first major league win came during his rookie season with Miami in 2021, a year in which he logged 26 appearances and 14 starts. His most recent major league win came with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, when he set career highs with 29 appearances and 121 and two-thirds innings. Brief scoreless relief work with the Atlanta Braves in 2025 added depth to his major league resume.
Zach Thompson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zachary Ryan Thompson was raised in a supportive American family, with his parents encouraging his path from amateur baseball through college at the University of Texas at Arlington. His full name, Zachary Ryan Thompson, reflects that family background.
Personal Life
Thompson and his wife, Ashlyn, married in December 2017. The couple has one daughter together, and the family has remained a central part of his life as he has moved between organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Thompson opened 2025 on a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves and reached the major league roster on April 1. In two scoreless appearances for the Braves, he struck out three batters over three and two-thirds 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 and was assigned to the minors.
Splitting the year between the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers and the Double-A Columbus Clingstones, Thompson went 2–4 with a 6.57 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and one save across 17 appearances and six starts. The Braves released him on August 18, 2025, leaving him once again on the open market as a free agent looking for his next opportunity.
Looking ahead, Thompson brings veteran experience from three major league organizations, durability built through 121 and two-thirds innings in 2022, and a recent return from flexor surgery. That combination should keep him in demand as a depth starter or long reliever for clubs looking to round out their pitching staff.