Thompson Staying In-State With Commitment To Rhode Island

LINCOLN, R.I. - A recruiting process that began as a pitcher came to an end for Ryan Thompson with a commitment to hit and play in the field at Rhode Island.

“They saw me initially two years ago pitching,” the Bishop Hendricken junior reflected about his connection with URI. “Then they saw me this summer hitting in a tournament and they liked my hitting and how I played infield. Then they saw me at the Future Games and then a camp after that where I played decently. We stayed in touch until December.”

That was when a decision was made, with offers from URI and UMass-Amherst being considered by Thompson before a final choice was determined.

“I like the idea of staying home in Rhode Island,” related the sixth-rated 2024 from his home state. “I like the feel of the program and the fact that it’s a good program already. I’ve built a good relationship with the coaches and it just felt like where I want to play at the next level.”

The commitment was a culmination to a recruitment that began with Thompson showing what he could do on the mound.

“Since I started playing baseball I thought it would be cool to play at the next level, it was always a dream of mine,” Thompson explained. “At first I was recruited as a pitcher. I got my first call after a PBR event as a pitcher and I kept talking to schools after that. It quieted down after my sophomore winter, but then a lot of schools came to look in the summer. My first call came after the Future Games and then things started to pick up. In the fall I did camps to further my recruiting process.”

It was earlier in the year when a position change was made.

“I’d always hit and pitched and always pretty good at both,” Thompson noted. “But the first baseman at Hendricken got hurt this past season so I stepped in and took over. Then I hit well with NEB this summer and changed over from a pitcher to a hitter as my primary position.”

Rhode Island came away impressed with what the 6-4 205-pounder displayed.

“They like that I can play multiple positions, have good speed and have good power with the bat,” the second-ranked junior first baseman in New England said. “I have some things to work on the next two years with the bat, but the ability to play multiple positions they like.”

Corner infield and corner outfield are positions that URI mentioned to Thompson as possibilities at the next level.

“I’ll bring them a nice versatile position player,” explained Thompson, who ran a 6.9 60 at the Rhode Island camp. “I have good power with my bat and will be a good quality bat in the lineup. I’m excited to do that and see where my future goes.”

The top-rated 2024 corner infielder in Rhode Island pointed to NEB coaches Scott Patterson and Mike Abraham along with Hendricken coaches Ed Holloway and Chris Sheehan with playing important roles in his recruitment in addition to his parents “for always being here for me.”

Thompson, who carries a 3.5 GPA in high school, is currently planning to major in Kinesiology at Rhode Island, which is located just 45 minutes from home.

“It’s a relief to get this off my shoulders,” Thompson said. “Going into my junior year I really wanted to get this over and URI is a good fit. When I saw it I knew it would be a good place for me. I’m happy to go to a school with a great baseball program.

“I always thought it would be an option, it’s always been kind of a home to me,” Thompson added. “I’ve been to some basketball and baseball games there and it has a really good environment. It has a good baseball program and I really like the coaches.”

The 52nd-ranked junior in New England is anticipating a memorable time once his days at the Atlantic 10 Conference University begin.

“I’m looking forward to competing at that high D-I level,” the 17-year-old concluded. “I think it will be fun. I know guys there at URI and it will be a lot of fun competing with my friends.”