Uncommitted Spotlight: 18' Paxton Thompson, SS/RHP, St. Michael-Alberville
September 5, 2017
By Josh Threlkeld
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota
PBR Minnesota seeks to offer the most comprehensive coverage of prep baseball in the state of Minnesota. Our goal is to continue bringing recognition to those who play this game within the state and to showcase the deep talent pool that Minnesota is developing. Paxton is a great example of a player who has committed himself to the game of baseball and understands the time devotion that it takes to become a top player in the state.
PBR: What schools have expressed interest in you?
Paxton: Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, University of Evansville, NDSU, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Fort Wayne (IPFW), SDSU, East Tennessee, NIACC, DMACC, Iowa Central, Mankato, St. Cloud, Concordia-St. Paul, Minot State
PBR: Have you taken any visits, or have any visits scheduled in the near future?
Paxton: I've visited Eastern Illinois, St. Cloud, Concordia-St.Paul, Mankato, & NIACC. I have a visit with NDSU coming up.
PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)
Paxton: I am looking into a business degree, so a good business program would be great. I have no preference on location.
PBR: What were some of your highlights during your junior year?
Paxton: Going 19-1 in regular season with my school ball team, going to state with my American Legion team, traveling the country with my Minnesota Starters team & doing really well with them. Hitting 5 home runs throughout my junior year & throwing 86-89 mph on the mound this summer with the Starters were all positives that I look to improve on heading into my Senior year.
PBR: What are your personal and team goals for this upcoming season?
Paxton: Sitting 88-92mph on the mound, if not higher, hit 10 home runs, just increasing my numbers period, be 180-190, definitely got to put on some weight this off season. Team goals for next season: Go undefeated in regular season, win the high school state tournament, dominant legion ball & get a state championship in legion. I believe we were just getting our feet wet last season and can put everything together next season and get some state titles.
PBR: Do you play any other sports?
Paxton: I play basketball in winter but still debating on whether to play or not, with needing to get in the weight room & put on weight.
PBR: What is your ACT and GPA?
Paxton: ACT: 22 & GPA: 3.3
Scouting Report
6/20/17- 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.32 runner. Preset hands, slight body load, line drive swing with extension through contact, mid/pull approach with consistent hard contact, 87 mph exit velocity. Sure hands in field, plays back at times relying on arm, projects physically with arm strength for left side of infield, accurate to bag with carry, 84 mph arm across infield. On mound; athletic actions on mound, long draw on backside, explodes down mound with good arm speed, slight head jerk and effort in delivery. Consistent strike thrower producing 84-86 mph fastball, touching 88 mph, with command to both sides of plate. Breaking ball was 68-69 mph for strikes and changeup is thrown with good arm speed, firm, at 78-79 mph.
3/20/17- 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #29 ranked player in MN 2018 class. Tall athletic frame. 7.18 runner. Square stance with leg kick trigger, choppy rhythm and load with hands, longer path to contact, shows pop in bat when extended through contact, gap to gap approach, 84 mph exit velocity. Active feet with good hands in field, works though ball, creates direction on throws, long release with carry and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength across field. On mound; controlled delivery with tempo, slight pie arm action, and works downhill to plate. Fastball is sneaky quick at 84-85 mph; thrown with good command and late run and sink. Tends to wrap breaking ball and loses arm speed and velocity. Developing changeup, slows arm, but shows good action at plate and should become a solid 2nd/3rd
7/6/16- 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Simple set-up, shifts weight well through swing, solid extension through contact, consistent hard mid/pull contact, 82 mph exit velocity. Good footwork, creates angles, soft glove, athletic actions, long release. Throws show solid carry and accuracy to bag. 78 mph arm strength. Controlled delivery, commands zone well, long extended arm action, some effort on release with heavy head whack. Late run and cut on fastball to both sides of plate at 81-83 mph. 11/5 breaking shows potential with tight spin and is thrown for strikes. Works changeup well in bottom of zone. Strong Follow in MN 2018 class.
5/3/16- 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.4 runner. Lean projectable build. Strong set-up in box, generates good bat speed, stays inside baseball at contact, shows good hit tools, 81 mph exit velocity. Loose, easy, athletic actions in field. Glove is soft; tends to field deep and funnel occasionally. Long release on throws. Arm projects well with long loose action. 81 mph arm strength across. Strong follow in 2018 class. Controlled delivery on mound. Swings front leg open; maintains good balance and direction to plate. Moderate effort with extension to plate. Late heavy sink on fastball, commands zone well, at 79-81 mph touching 82 mph. 11/5 shape on elevated breaking ball. Good arm action and feel for changeup kept in bottom of zone for strikes.