Campbell University

Ryan Thompson Photo Gallery
Ryan Thompson Hall of Fame Introduction Video
Tales from the Creek Podcast | Ryan Thompson (December 2024)

Ryan Thompson '14 earned All-America honors in back-to-back seasons for the Camels and was named 2013 Big South Pitcher of the Year. He was a two-time first team All-Big South selection and named 2014 Big South Tournament MVP.  Thompson owns the lowest season (0.88) and career (1.13) ERAs in program history. Both marks set Big South Conference records that still stand today. A native of Turner, Ore., Thompson holds the Campbell record with 17 saves in a season and most all-time saves with 27. Additionally, he set the single season record with 39 relief appearances in 2014.  The right-hander made 70 appearances and pitched 161.1 innings with a 16-3 record in a pair of seasons with the Fighting Camels. Thompson tallied 144 strikeouts and held opponents to a .211 batting average.  Thompson helped lead Campbell to its winningest season in program history in 2013 as the squad went 49-10 and earned the Big South regular season championship.  As a senior, he led Campbell to the 2014 Big South title and the program’s first NCAA postseason berth in 24 years. 
 
Originally selected by Houston in the 23rd round of the 2014 MLB draft, he has pitched in two World Series – in 2020 for the Tampa Bay Rays and 2023 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  In six major league seasons since making his MLB debut on July 24, 2020, with the Rays, Thompson has made 254 pitching appearances with an 18-16 record, eight saves, a 3.54 ERA and 208 Ks in 241.1 innings.