St. Louis Cardinals prospect Nick Thompson talks to Redbird Rants
By Danielle
Outfielder Nick Thompson, an 8th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014, took some time during the offseason to talk with Redbird Rants.
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Daniel Solzman: Thanks for joining Redbird Rants today. How are things treating you during the offseason?
Nick Thompson: Very well. I am enjoying spending time with family and friends and traveling. I will travel in a couple of week to Nicaragua with Ollie Marmol, Collin Radack and Jeff Rauh (all from the Spikes) as a volunteer to build houses and to teach baseball to some young men in an orphanage.
Daniel Solzman: What was the experience like in reaching the postseason with the State College Spikes?
Nick Thompson: It was very exciting and instilled the expectation of playing in the playoffs each year at all levels throughout the organization.
Daniel Solzman: How does it feel to know that you led the Spikes in RBI this year?
Nick Thompson: It made me feel that I fulfilled the expectations that the Cardinals had for me. I started the season in the four-hole, dropped down when I wasn’t producing and worked my way back up to the three-hole.
Daniel Solzman: Can you describe what it felt like when you found out that the Cardinals were -selecting you in the 8th round of the draft?
Nick Thompson: The Cardinals’ interest was almost a total surprise. I had spoken with my local Cardinals’ scout only once, very early in my college season. I had hoped to be drafted at some point on Friday. It was a relief to hear from the Cardinals that day. It was great to be drafted by an organization with such a good reputation, including a reputation for utilizing their farm system.
Daniel Solzman: When did you find out that the Cardinals were interested in selecting you?
Nick Thompson: On Friday, the second day of the draft.
Daniel Solzman: What’s the reaction been like on social media since the Cardinals drafted you?
Nick Thompson: Immediately, William and Mary tweeted that I had been drafted and my parents and I began receiving congratulatory texts. I could tell by the timing that a number of individuals had been following the draft on the computer. During the summer, a good number of local Cardinals’ fans, as well as fans of other teams, followed my progress. For example, two of my father’s business associates would email comments to him almost daily after checking the box score or after listening to the game the previous night.
Daniel Solzman: What did you do in the days prior to take your mind off the draft?
Nick Thompson: I played with William and Mary in the Colonial Athletic Association baseball championship and after that I returned to the Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plains League to play summer ball.
Daniel Solzman: How did William & Mary coach Brian Murphy help in getting you ready for the next level?
Nick Thompson: Coach Murphy gave me the opportunity to play. He started me every game during the season. All of the William and Mary coaches organized meetings with professional scouts from different teams and promptly forwarded communications with requests for completing questionnaires. They also facilitated private batting practices for scouts.
Daniel Solzman: Is there a veteran that you are looking forward to learning from during Spring Training?
Nick Thompson: Jim Edmonds.
Daniel Solzman: The Cardinals’ Hall of Famers always make a visit to Jupiter during Spring Training. Is there anyone in particular that you are really looking forward to meeting?
Nick Thompson: Ozzie Smith.
Daniel Solzman: What’s something that you like to do for fun when you aren’t playing baseball?
Nick Thompson: Travel, spend time with friends, play cards and play fantasy football. I am in three fantasy football leagues including one with Spikes’ teammates where I am the token position player. I also am shadowing an orthopedic surgeon one day a week and a radiologist another day a week.
Daniel Solzman: Who was your favorite player growing up?
Nick Thompson: Rafael Palmeiro.
Daniel Solzman: What is something that Cardinals fans should know about you?
Nick Thompson: They may not be something that the Cardinals fans should know about me but here are some interesting facts: (1) I turned an unassisted triple play as a five-year-old while playing t-ball, (2) I won the Home Run Derby at Cooperstown Dreams Park both as a 10-year-old and as a 12-year old and (3) I spent only four months at William and Mary, working on a master’s degree, before I was drafted.
Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining us and best of luck as your make your way up through the organization. Any words for the best fans in baseball?
Nick Thompson: Fan support really does make a difference. The Spikes’ fan support was tremendous and truly helped propel us to the New York Penn League championship.