Ga. Tech vs. Auburn Baseball
Auburn pitcher/infielder Keegan Thompson (7) throws against Georgia Tech Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/ jbennett@al.com)
(JULIE BENNETT)
When Keegan Thompson takes the mound at Plainsman Park on Friday afternoon, it will have been 21 months and one day since his last start, and two weeks less than that since his last official outing.
Thompson, who underwent Tommy John surgery June 23, 2015, will complete his long-awaited comeback effort when Auburn opens its season against George Washington on Friday at 2 p.m. After missing all of last season while recovering and rehabbing, Thompson will toe the rubber in the Tigers' season opener, marking the second opening day start of his career.
"I respect what Keegan does every day, and I respect what he's done in the past," sophomore Casey Mize said.
It's been a long road back for Thompson, who went 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA in a 2015 campaign that was shortened due to elbow issues. His last start came in the Tigers' regular-season finale against Florida two years ago -- a shortened, two-inning effort in which he struck out two and allowed one run on two hits. After that, he earned a save in Auburn's lone NCAA Regional win following 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against Mercer on May 30, 2015.
That was the last time the hard-throwing right-hander appeared in a game.
When healthy, Thompson has the ability to be one of the premier starting pitchers in the nation. Despite not playing last season, Thompson was ranked No. 66 on D1baseball.com's list of starting pitchers for 2017.
Thompson told reporters on the opening day of practice last month that remaining patient through the recovery process has been difficult, and finding consistency with his command has been the biggest issue once he got back on the mound.
For his part, Auburn second-year coach Butch Thompson is excited about the prospect of having a healthy Thompson back in the rotation. His confidence in the junior is evidenced by the fact Thompson will get the nod on opening day, making him just the fourth Auburn pitcher since 1994 to earn multiple opening day starts in his career. Thompson also got the nod for Auburn's 2015 season opener.
Auburn is hoping Thompson will bolster the pitching staff, not just in his ability on the mound, but with his experience and approach.
"It's been awesome to have somebody to look up to, really," Mize said. "I had that last year with (Justin Camp) and stuff and older guys like that, but with Keegan it's a different animal; everybody knows that.... There's just something about him that makes you want to learn from him, so hopefully I can be that for somebody one day. I just soak in everything I can.
"He's very knowledgeable about the game when it comes to pitch-calling and reading hitters and stuff like that. I'm learning everything I can off him. He pushes me and I push him, so I think it's really helped both of us."
While Thompson will head the rotation, Auburn is hopeful he will return to form and be the start of a potent one-two punch, with Mize following him in the order. Mize, who went 2-5 with a 3.52 ERA last season) will start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against George Washington.
Butch Thompson hopes to keep the two of them as the Friday and Saturday starters -- each will aim to go five innings and under 100 pitches this weekend as they try to build up their arms -- but the second-year coach left open the possibility of using them in the same game if the situation calls for it in order to get a needed series-opening win at some point this season. Still, it's a nice combo of arms to have to help set the tone for the pitching staff.
"Electric is the word I use with Casey Mize," Butch Thompson said. "I just feel like he continues to get better.... I just think him and Keegan, you talk about iron sharpens iron, they make each other so much better. They work together every day. I think Casey's biggest influence is not a coach this year; I think it's a player, watching Keegan pitch his game and then coming out and throwing. I would love for this setup to stay similar, but we'll adjust."