Zack Thompson

Kentucky junior left-hander Zack Thompson has posted a dominant 2019 season and etched his name all over the school’s career and single-season record books with one of the best seasons in the program’s history. With one more scheduled start, Thompson already ranks third on the single-season strikeout list and surpassed current New York Yankees star James Paxton for the most in a season by a left-hander in school history. Thompson also ranks fourth on the school’s career list despite missing seven starts as a sophomore. He currently has the sixth-lowest ERA in a single season, second-fewest hits allowed per nine innings, and has been nearly untouchable in Southeastern Conference play (5-1, 1.91 ERA, 84 strikeouts and 38 hits in 61 1/3 innings). He ranks sixth nationally in total strikeouts this season, and he threw a complete game shutout vs. No. 4 Georgia and a complete game (one unearned run) on the road at national power Florida. He came within two outs of a complete game against high-powered Arkansas. For his career in SEC play he has posted a 1.84 ERA in 83 1/3 innings with just 48 hits allowed and 113 strikeouts.