01/18/2013 - 2013 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament
Derek continues to improve and impress on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he remains a high energy guy with an aggressive, game speed type approach to OF play. He has a loose arm that produces accurate results and possesses soft, sure hands with a clean exchange. At the plate, his bat speed, ability to drive the gap and his solid balance throughout are all areas that impressed. He continues to have a short, quick path to the ball and flashes pop when centered.
12/27/2011 - Under Armour Recruiting Classic - 2011
This week in Arizona, Thompson displayed the ability to get good extension with his arm and be aggressive in on groundballs in the outfield. His defensive abilities should continue to develop as he learns to get on top of his throws to promote backspin and carry. At the plate, he gets in a good launch position and is short to contact. His offensive tools should continue to improve as he learns to trust his hands to extend through the hitting zone. Thompson displayed a very coachable attitude and the ability to make adjustments when necessary.
07/29/2011 - Under Armour Southwest Regional Tournament - 2011
Thompson showed similar abilities as we had previously seen in Boise, ID. In the OF, feet are active as he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls as he works to get behind balls to play through with momentum to his target. Hands / feet work well together as he gets rid of the ball quickly with throws displaying life, carry, and accuracy. Arm strength has improved to well above average. Offensively, Derek showed an athletic setup with quick hands that generate bat speed to and through the ball at contact. He has strength in his swing with the baseball exploding off his bat when centered and he shows solid power to all fields as he keeps hands inside the ball. At the event, he was 5 for 8 with a 3B. Once on base, he has great base running instincts as he will take the extra base.
05/01/2011 - College PREP - Boise, ID
Derek again showed good athletic ability in all areas improving some of his evaluations. He ran a better sixty time improving from a 7.1 down to a 7.02. He also improved his arm strength and his hitting grade as it is now a 50. He continues to stay aggressive at the plate, with good rhythm and balance. To continue to help improve his power he needs to get better extension to help with backspin and his ability to drive the ball the other way. Defensively he stays aggressive on his routes, has an accurate arm with good carry and he catches the fly ball at its highest point. At times because of his aggressiveness, he over runs or misjudges the ball and does not stay behind it. These areas will continue to improve as he is still very young.
01/14/2011 - Under Armour Pre-Season All-America - 2011
Derek showed similar abilities as we had previously seen at the UA Recruiting Classic. His foot speed is a plus tool. He utilizes his quick, athletic feet well in taking proper routes / angles in tracking down balls in the OF. Throws are accurate but he will benefit by staying on a long toss program to aid in further building more arm strength with carry. Offensively, Thompson shows a balanced approach allowing his quick hands to work through the baseball at contact. He shows a feel for the barrel with the baseball jumping off his bat when centered. At the event he was 1 for 4 with a triple.
12/27/2010 - UA Recruiting Classic - 2010
Thompson showed solid, athletic abilities both in the OF and at the plate during his time at the UA Recruiting Classic. He has an athletic / muscular frame, good range and foot speed, and good overall instincts. Derek covers ground well, fields out in front of his body, and he throws online with good extension to his target. Offensively, Derek has strong hands, a quick bat, and he stays inside the ball well. He has a good eye at the plate, he has pop into the gaps, and he puts the ball in play.
10/27/2010 - Arizona Fr/So Fall Classic - 2010
Derek is a young (2013) OF with an athletic frame that shows projection as he continues to physically mature. Feet are active as he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls in the OF. He reads balls well off the bat and works to get behind, playing through with momentum to his target. Actions are loose, easy, and athletic with throws showing accuracy as he will benefit by getting on a long toss program to aid in further developing more arm strength with carry. Offensively, Thompson continues to shine as he displays a solid, athletic setup. He loads well with rhythm that allows his hands to work quickly to and through the baseball, generating bat speed. He shows a plus feel for the barrel with baseball exploding off his bat when centered as he was 4 for 9 with 2 BB at the event. Mental makeup is a plus as he plays hard and shows a strong desire to learn and be the best he can be. With 3 years to further develop, Derek has the makings to be a solid player at the next level and will get looks from collegiate coaches.