Siuslaw graduate Jake Thompson was allowed only a glimpse of his potential in his first season as a professional, but it was enough to impress the scouts.

The Boston Red Sox draft pick, a first-team All-American pitcher at Oregon State, will head to the Florida Instructional League next, according to his father, Coast Radio's Jon Thompson.

"Thompson was impressive," soxprospects.com opined of his 21-pitch first outing, when he threw 21 pitches, featuring all four of his pitches.

"His fastball-slider combination could play in a bullpen role, and even potentially allow him to be fast-tracked to the majors in a relief role," the scout concluded.

"But his changeup showed enough potential that it is worth developing him as a starter.

"Given his age (Thompson turns 23 this month), if his development stalls, that his stuff could play up in the bullpen as a backup plan is definitely a plus."

Thompson finished his first season as a professional with a 3.18 earned run average in seven appearances, all starts, totaling 11 1-3 innings. He had 11 strikeouts while allowing 10 hits and 6 walks.

The complete scouting report is online at http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/08/scouting-scratch-jake-thompson-and.html