Connor Thompson is the true embodiment of a student-athlete. With a 4.0 GPA and a knack for science and math, Thompson truly excels in the classroom. He’s already achieved almost every academic reward that someone can receive by the end of their sophomore year, but there’s one goal of his that he’s still striving for. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play college baseball and I’m not gonna let anything get in my way. I have the motivation to get to the next level.” said the 6’2”, 205lb, right-handed pitcher.

Despite having no college offers yet, Thompson is sure to receive some in the future, as he has already been ranked as a top MLB prospect for his class.

 

In the classroom, Thompson has already participated in numerous science fairs and hopes to compete in the national science fair soon. “I did well in my school science fair, so my goal is to make it to the national science fair in the future and compete in that,” says Thompson.

Attending Brophy College Preparatory School (Phoenix, AZ), Thompson is faced with a very rigorous curriculum, which he handles with ease. He says that he hopes to get his GPA up to a 4.5 before the end of high school and is already looking at schools such as Johns Hopkins, Swarthmore, Pomona College, along with a couple of Ivy League schools. “ Academics are the utmost thing that I’m looking at. Hopefully, they’ll have good programs in mathematics and science,” stated Thompson.

Although he still has a couple years of high school left before he graduates, Thompson has shown a lot of ambition in his college search. As a student-athlete, Thompson has done everything to put school first and get his priorities straight. “With the school that I go to, there is a lot required of you. So, you have to do well not only in athletics but more importantly, with your academics,” the high school sophomore said. “I’m up to about 1 A.M. doing homework and studying many nights. I have to be determined and keep in mind that I’m working hard in high school to get into a good college.”

 

Many of the top baseball players in the country are able to spend more time on their sports because they have already received scholarship offers, but due to his passion for science and math, Thompson has to work extra hard on and off the field. While he is yet to make it onto his varsity baseball team, his coachable attitude will surely aid him in the future as he nears his junior year. “You can always learn more about the game of baseball. There are so many aspects, especially with pitching,” he continued, “I think of myself as a melting pot, so anytime I have a new coach or I get a fresh set of eyes on me, like a scout or coach, I’m open to their criticism.”

Modeling his game after New York Mets starting pitcher, Matt Harvey, Thompson throws with power and leaves batters in disarray.

 

Connor Thompson may not be the most talented pitcher, but his motivation to improve and his accomplishments off the field, draws attention from colleges. It is clear that Thompson is motivated and ready to elevate his game as a baseball player. “What motivates me the most is my desire. It’s always been a goal of mine to get to college and play college baseball. When I wake up in the morning, I see that in my mirror and that motivates me to get the mentality of, ‘I’m gonna accomplish this goal, no matter what anybody says.’ So, It’s always been a goal of mine to play college baseball and I’m not gonna let anything get in my way. I have the motivation to get to the next level.”