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All-Greater Houston baseball and softball teams.
In about the span of one week, Cypress Ranch pitcher Matthew Thompson threw a no-hitter and became a millionaire.
It’s not a bad way to start the next phase of his life as a professional baseball player.
But first, he’s the Chronicle’s All-Greater Houston Pitcher of the Year. Thompson was 13-0 with an 0.87 ERA, 124 strikeouts, 41 walks and 23 hits allowed and nine earned runs all year.
The final start of his high school career — a 10-0 win over McKinney Boyd in five innings — was a no-hitter.
Thompson was the 45th overall pick to the Chicago White Sox in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft in early June (the slot value for the pick is reportedly $1.65 million). He reported to begin his minor league career June 22.
Though drafted as a pitcher, Thompson’s prowess at the plate couldn’t be ignored at the high school level. He batted .352 with 37 hits, 26 RBIs and 16 extra-base hits in 38 games.
Thompson’s teammate and Cypress Ranch’s other ace pitcher J.J. Goss was the 36th overall pick to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Thompson’s impact was truly measured in the playoffs. As Cypress
Ranch coach Corey Cephus simply put, “How can he not be one of the best? Every time he gets on the mound, all he does is dominate.”
Q: What was draft night like for you and your family?
A: “It was hectic leading up to it. We were all nervous and anxious. So it was just a crazy night but in the end it turned out alright. It was fun.”
Q: Do you have any idea what the White Sox have planned for you to start your career?
A: “I’m sure I’m just going to be pitching. I probably won’t be throwing this summer. I threw a lot this spring. I’ll probably get out there and work out a lot and get stronger. Basically, just work on my craft.” away from throwing a no-hitter in your last high school start?
A: “It wasn’t what we expected. I was expecting to throw at least one more game. That’s a great note to end it on. I’m happy for my team. They made plays out there that could’ve been hits potentially. But at the end of the day, it was a no-hitter. It was great for us and for me.”
Q: Cypress Ranch was among the best teams in the state again this year. What made 2019 different?
A: “We overcame a lot of adversity. Everybody thought we were going to be bad this year. They thought we couldn’t hit and we showed them we could. We had pitchers playing positions and stuff so they thought we couldn’t defend and we did. We just overcame all the hate and made it farther than anybody really thought we were going to in the beginning.”
Q: Have you had a chance to speak to J.J. Goss since you both were drafted?
A: “I’ve been talking to him a little bit. He just got up to Florida. He’s excited. I think he’s a little nervous. But he’s going to be fine.”
Q: What was the best memory from this year?
A: “Probably just this year as a whole, senior year. I went through a lot but at the same time it was fun. I mean I wouldn’t take anything I did or anything that happened back. It made me who I am right now, talking to you.”
Q: Cypress Ranch product Corbin Martin made his debut with the Astros this year and you and Goss are now part of MLB organizations. Does it mean something to be part of the first group of pros this program has produced?
A: “Oh yeah definitely. Because we’re so young. The school has been open for like 11 years. We had a guy drafted last year, too, Ty Madden. It’s just crazy to see all of us come out of the same area. There’s going to be more. There’s definitely going to be more. I’m just going to say just wait on it. It’s going to be one of those teams like The Woodlands and how they have all those people drafted.”