Major League Baseball may be on the verge of a work stoppage, but that isn't keeping Siuslaw graduate and Boston Red Sox pitcher Jake Thompson from working.

Thompson is offering pitching instruction at $50 an hour for Florence-area athletes.

"He already has a half dozen kids he's working with," his father, Coast Radio's Jon Thompson, said. "He's doing it one day a week until probably about mid-February. 

"He's not sure if they are going to hold two spring trainings as they did last year due to Corona virus.  Also, apparently MLB/player negotiations are taking place and there is talk of work stoppage.  So nothing definitive yet."

Jake Thompson has been in the Red Sox system since the 2017 draft, when he was taken in the fourth round after an all-American career at Oregon State.

Thompson turned 27 in September, and now provides for a wife and Jon Thompson's first grandchild.

"He is doing the lessons at (Siuslaw High School), although it isn't associated with the district other than facility use," Jon Thompson said. "In fact, he had to get insurance in order for the district to sign off on him even using the fields."

In an advertisement in the Siuslaw News, Thompson offers instruction on pitch mechanics, mental approach, pitch design, routines and arm care and weighted ball drills.

Contact Jake Thompson at jathompson10@hotmail.com or call 541-999-9661.