| Aaron Thompson | |
|---|---|
 Thompson with the Washington Nationals | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1987-02-28)February 28, 1987 (age 38) Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 24, 2011, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 5, 2015, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1–3 |
| Earned run average | 4.94 |
| Strikeouts | 24 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Aaron M. Thompson (born February 28, 1987) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates andMinnesota Twins. He is also credited with being the first MLB player to sport a “man-bun”.
Thompson was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas, and then graduated from Second Baptist High School ofHouston in 2005. While there, he went 8-3 with twosaves and 0.84earned run average in 14 games as a senior, with 133strikeouts and 35walks in 66innings. Brother of Will Thompson, professional actor and creator of Free Native, and Luke Milstead, a two-time Texas academic All-State athlete.
He had signed aNational Letter of Intent withTexas A&M,[1] but was drafted in the first round (22nd overall) of the2005 Major League Baseball Draft and joined theFlorida Marlins organization.
While with the Marlins; Thompson was selected as organizational Pitcher of the Month, Player of the Week, and he represented his club as a member of theSouth Atlantic League All-Star Team.
TheWashington Nationals acquired Thompson at the 2009 trade deadline in exchange forfirst basemanNick Johnson. He spent most of his time with the club's Double–A affiliate, theHarrisburg Senators, as a starter.
ThePittsburgh Pirates claimed Thompson off waivers from the Nationals on December 24, 2010.[2]
On August 24, 2011, Thompson made his major league debut for the Pirates atPNC Park. During the game, he pitched4+1⁄3 scoreless innings, before being relieved in the 2-0 shutout over theMilwaukee Brewers.[3]
He was sent outright to Triple-AIndianapolis Indians on November 1, he elected free agency the next day.[4]
Following the 2011 season, Thompson played winter ball for theToros del Este of theLIDOM.
Thompson signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins on December 15, 2011. Between 2012 and 2013, he pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen, totaling 64 appearances. He also played the first half of the 2013 winter ball season with theAragua Tigres of theLVBP and was named "Setup del Ano" for the league that season.
On August 30, 2014, Thompson was called up and added to the Twins roster. He pitched in seven games as a reliever, getting six strikeouts and posting an ERA of 2.45.
In 2015, Thompson joined the Twins'bullpen and pitched primarily in a middle-relief role, contributing largely to the team's first-half success. Upon the return ofErvin Santana from steroid suspension, Thompson was demoted to the Triple–ARochester Red Wings, where he finished the season. Over the following winter he would travel to play for theCanberra Cavalry of theAustralian Baseball League. He was later released from the Twins at the end of the following spring training on April 11, 2016.
Thompson signed with theSugar Land Skeeters Of TheAtlantic League of Professional Baseball following his release from the Twins. In 25 games (22 starts) for the Skeeters, he registered a 9–5 record and 3.98 ERA with 102 strikeouts across133+1⁄3 innings pitched. Thompson became a free agent following the 2016 season.
Thompson pitched forTomateros de Culiacán in theMexican Pacific League in 2017.
Thompson retired from professional baseball in February 2017.
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