Thompson Jumps At The Opportunity To Play Out West 

Brendan Thompson SS / 3B / Forest Hills eastern, MI / 2025

GRAND RAPIDS - A connection with Jordon Banfield has led Brendan Thompson to go west.

The Forest Hills Eastern senior has committed to Cal-State Bakersfield where Banfield, the former head coach at Oakland University, is now in charge.

“When coach Banfield was at Oakland he saw me at the Future Games and really loved me,” the top-rated 2025 shortstop in Michigan explained. “He offered, but I held off.”

Central Michigan and Michigan State were others being considered at the time.

“When he got the job at Bakersfield he called and offered,” Thompson said. “It was an opportunity to go out west and play in the Big West Conference which is good baseball.”

A visit a few weeks back sealed the deal.

“I liked the campus, the idea of being out there and what coach Banfield has to offer,” Thompson noted. “I feel I can grow out there.”

Butler and Western Michigan had also come into the picture for the 17-year-old, who understands what it means to be far from home for college.

“It will be bad not being around my parents and all that support, but I’ll have support there,” Thompson related. “The pros about it are playing year ’round and playing in the Big West with an opportunity to get my name out there.”

The 12th-ranked 2025 in Michigan is confident about what he can add to the program at Cal-State Bakersfield.

“I feel I’m gonna bring an athlete that’s ready to compete in whatever the situation is they put me in,” Thompson explained. “If I don’t get drafted out of high school, I’m hoping to get drafted out of there where I can get my name out.”

Banfield has strong feelings about what the 6-2 180-pounder can bring to his program.

“Coach Banfield likes my arm and my infield ability,” Thompson said. “My swing is coming along, I’m getting some power behind it. Coach Banfield likes my body and how I can grow into it. I project pretty well.”

It was freshman year of high school when Thompson came on the scene in the sport of baseball.

“I started varsity and we won the Division 2 state championship at Michigan State and that got my name out there,” Thompson reflected. “I went to a PBR after that and Spencer (Impellizzeri, Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Operations) said how Michigan State wanted to talk to me. That was the first time I talked to a school. I played well after that and was invited to the Future Games. Then I started to get looked at by a lot of schools.

“However, things got slow come February and it was a little stressful. I wasn’t sure who wanted me. But when coach Banfield got to Bakersfield I felt really wanted.”

Thompson pointed to Forest Hills Eastern head coach Ian Hearn as “a big part of my recruitment” while an improved game also helped the cause.

“I feel my plate approach is a lot better,” Thompson said. “I’m taking the right pitches and swinging at better pitches. My swing is coming along and my infield is great, but I need to improve on my speed.”

Making a commitment was a great feeling according to Thompson.

“It’s special to know all the hard work has paid off,” Thompson said. “My family was very supportive. They wanted me to do what’s best for me.”

A 3.3 student at Forest Hills Eastern, Thompson will major in business at Bakersfield while enjoying his time as a student-athlete out west.

“I’m looking forward to being around everyone, going around the country and playing games,” Thompson concluded. “I feel that’s going to be the best part.”