Professional Evolution | Paxton Thompson

Best Version of Myself Entering 2026

Offseason Improvements at Driveline Baseball

Velocity

+2.6

89.9 → 92.5 mph

FB IVB

+3.3

15.1 → 18.4 IVB

Release Height

-0.4

5.3 → 4.9 ft

SW Horizontal

+1.9

-12.1 → -14.0 HB

FB & CH VB Separation

+2.3

13.6 → 15.9

2026 Offseason - Driveline Baseball

Live ABs 2/4

Bullpen Work

Pitch Arsenal

Combined data from bullpens and live at bats at Driveline Tampa.
Live AB Data 2/4 | Live AB Data 2/13 | Bullpen Data

Pitch	Velo	Max	Spin	IVB	HB	Tilt	REL_H	VAA
4-Seam	92.3	93.2	2474	18.8	13.3	1:15	4.9	-3.4
Cutter	87.9	88.9	2046	8.3	2.7	1:00	4.8	-6.2
Changeup	83.1	84.0	1139	2.6	15.2	2:45	4.8	-6.2
Sweeper	80.3	82.8	2299	0.8	-14.0	9:30	4.7	-6.9

-24

+24

-12

No more searching, data backed. Wanted to embrace myself & the thrower I was, which led me to training at Driveline Tampa
The byproduct of embracing who I am... is the best version of myself entering 2026

References

All references are confirmed open to a call or conversation

Preston Mattingly
Assistant GM Phillies
Aaron Barrett
Manager of Clearwater Threshers (Phillies Low A)2019 World Series Champion
Casey Jacobson
Cubs ML Assistant Pitching Coach
Matt Kress
Driveline Pitching Coordinator

Comparison to Joe Ryan (MIN)

Data from Alex Chamberlain's Pitch Leaderboard on Tableau

Pitcher	Velo	Rel_H	VAA	FB IVB	FB HB	CH IVB	CH HB	SW IVB	SW HB
Paxton Thompson	92.5	4.9	-3.7	18.4	14.6	2.5	13.5	-0.2	-14.0
Joe Ryan	93.6	4.8	-3.9	13.7	12.7	1.2	15.2	0.0	15.8

Unique release height of 4.9 feet - Bryan Woo & Joe Ryan territory

Elite flatness with FB, -3.7 VAA

S/M Strikeouts - Full At Bats

*2025 Top Prospects Lists

Marcell Ozuna & Jared Kelenic

Blue Jays 3rd Prospect

Mets 5th Prospect

Nationals 10th Prospect

Mets 13th Prospect

Phillies 15th Prospect

Pirates 20th Prospect

Reds 20th Prospect

Rays 22nd Prospect

Cardinals 26th Prospect

My Story

2024: Proven track record when I embrace myself
- 2.73 ERA, 28% K-Rate, 8% BB-Rate - Success came from embracing my low release height (5.1ft) & riding the fastball
2025: Searching for velocity the wrong way
- Release height climbed to 5.3 ft trying to figure it out on my own
- Outcome: Throwing slower, worse shapes, worse version of myself
2026: Embracing who I am at Driveline Baseball
- Outcome: Throwing harder, lower release height, riding the fastball better, better pitch shapes
- I'm a better professional for what I went through & I'm now embracing myself more than ever

2024 Season

Season Statistics

Level	W-L	ERA	IP	SO	BB	WHIP
A / A+	3-2	2.73	49.1	53	15	1.11

2024 Trackman Arsenal

Pitch	Avg Velo	Max Velo	IVB	HB	Rel_H
FF	91.0	93.2	14.9	12.9	5.1
CT	87.1	89.8	6.7	1.4	5.0
SW	82.0	85.9	-1.6	-12.7	5.1
CH	81.6	84.0	2.3	8.8	5.0

2024 Arsenal Summary - Pitch Movement & Release Point

K-Rate: 28% - Showed ability to miss bats
BB-Rate: 8% - Excellent command
Strike Rate: 64% - Consistently attacking the zone
Promoted to A+ mid-season & continued success
Four-pitch mix with command of all offerings
Embraced low release height & riding the fastball, where my success lies

2025 Season

Season Statistics

Level	W-L	ERA	IP	SO	BB	WHIP
A+	3-1	5.59	37.0	30	15	1.59

2025 Trackman Arsenal

Pitch	Avg Velo	Max Velo	IVB	HB	Rel_H
FF	89.9	92.0	15.1	11.9	5.3
CT	85.9	89.1	4.7	0.7	5.2
SW	81.2	85.4	-1.0	-12.1	5.2
CH	81.2	85.5	1.5	9.6	5.1

2025 Arsenal Summary - Pitch Movement & Release Point

Changed mechanics in effort to increase velocity
- Org wanted me to throw harder & I went about it the wrong way
Velo decreased to 89.9 mph (down 1.1 mph from 2024)
K-Rate dropped to 18% (down 10% from 2024)
Release height got higher, in search of velocity
Worse shapes, worst version of myself
Led to shoulder injury (shoulder impingement) & ended my season early in 2025

Strength & Power Progression at Driveline

Offseason 2026

Peak Force

3427 N

3347 → 3427 (+2.4%)

Relative Strength

3.9

3.68 → 3.9 (+6%)

CMJ Jump Height

49.61 cm

44.91 → 49.61 (+10.5%)

CMJ Peak Power

5637 W

5484 → 5637 (+2.8%)

Reactive Strength

3.11

2.5 → 3.11 (+24%)

Plyo Push

1201 N

1131 → 1201 (+6.2%)

Body Recomposition

Offseason 2026
*Data via DXA Scan

Fat Loss

6.9 lbs

44.8 → 37.9 lbs

Body Fat %

20%

-3% from 8/30

Lean Muscle

149 lbs

Maintained through offseason

Strength & power numbers increased across the board
Successful body recomposition achieved through focused nutrition & training
More explosive & athletic than I've been before
Continued work planned to optimize my nutrition & prioritize performance