Wapahani pitcher Zack Thompson goes through his delivery in a 2015 game. Thompson was recently selected for USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars.
Zack Thompson said he’s never played in a tournament quite like the one he will play in beginning June 24. Thompson, a baseball player who recently completed his junior season at Wapahani, has been selected to participate in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Cary, North Carolina.
Thompson, a Kentucky commit, will play for the ‘Free’ team in the six-team tournament that features 108 of the top high school players in the country. After a team workout on Tuesday, Thompson’s squad will open at 10 a.m. on June 24 against the ‘Pride’ team.
The tournament is the primary talent pool from which USA Baseball selects its 18U National Team for international competition.
“It’s a huge honor,” Thompson said. “I can’t wait, it will be fun.”
A left-handed pitcher, Thompson went 6-0 with a 0.49 ERA in his junior season. He struck out 80 batters and walked 16 in 42 2/3 innings of work. He missed some starts late in the year because of an issue with his throwing shoulder, though he was still able to play designated hitter for the Raiders. He said his shoulder has been feeling better, and he is optimistic he will be able to pitch for the Tournament of Stars.
Thompson emerged as Wapahani’s staff ace as a sophomore, when he helped the Raiders to a Class 2A state championship, including pitching a complete-game shutout in the state championship game.
The Free squad will play games against three of the other teams in the field before playing a fourth game on June 28 to determine final placing in the tournament. His squad’s coaching staff will include former major league outfielder and first baseman Brad Wilkerson, who now coaches at The King’s Academy (Florida).
“It’s a great opportunity to learn, those guys know so much about baseball,” Thompson said.
Thompson said he is unsure of his remaining summer schedule following the conclusion of the tournament, though he said he hopes to play in other high-level showcase tournaments.
Contact prep sports reporter Sam Wilson at (765) 213-5807. Follow him on Twitter @SamWilsonTSP.