Rich Thompson #63

Richard Graeme Thompson... Was part of a MLB traveling team sent to Taiwan for a five-game series vs. Chinese Taipei at the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series in November... Became the first of 31 Australians to play in the Major Leagues to be selected for a traveling All-Star Series... Graduated St. Ives High School (Sydney, AUS)... Is a native of Hornsby, Australia... Third Australian native to appear with Angels (Trent Durrington and Craig Shipley)... Was originally signed by Angels' scout Grant Weir.

2012

Claimed off waivers by the Oakland A's from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 20...Was outrighted to Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League (AAA) on April 27...Made 46 relief appearances for Sacramento and posted an ERA of 3.34 (23ER/62.0 IP)...Fanned 58 batters over 62.0 IP while opponents hit just .206 over that span.

2011

Fifth season seeing Major League action with Angels was first full season in the Majors...Made a career high 44 appearances, posting a 1-3 record, a 3.00 ERA (54.0 IP - 18 ER) with 25 walks, and 56 strikeouts...Compiled a 1.91 ERA (28.1 IP - 6 ER) at home compared to a 4.21 ERA (25.2 IP - 12 ER) on the road...16 of last 19 outings at Big A were scoreless...Set career-bests with 56 strikeouts and 54 innings pitched...Had thrown just 47.2 career innings entering 2011...Logged 16 multi-strikeout efforts in his 44 appearances... Was part of a MLB traveling team sent to Taiwan for a five-game series vs. Chinese Taipei at the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series in November...Became the first of 31 Australians to play in the Major Leagues to be selected for a traveling All-Star Series.

2010

Saw Major League action for fourth consecutive season, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.37 ... ERA (19.2 IP - 3 ER) in 13 appearances with Angels...Allowed 12 hits (2 HR) while walking four and striking out 15...Set career-high throwing 19.2 innings while allowing a career-low three earned runs...13 appearances matched career-high set in 2009...Was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake, July 2 after posting a 1-1 record with two saves and a 0.61 ERA (29.2 IP - 2 ER) in 19 appearances and being named to Pacific Coast League 2010 All-Star Team...Was placed on disabled list, August 7 and reactivated on August 28, missing 18 games with right shoulder inflammation...Recorded first two big league victories in final four appearances after failing to record a decision in first 31 career games spanning four seasons... Limited left-handed batters to a .100 clip (3/30) while right-handers batted .225 (9/40) against him...10 of 13 outings were scoreless...Wife Ashley gave birth to a baby boy, Richard William, Aug. 23rd.

2009

Split season between Angels and triple-A Salt Lake with three separate stints in the big leagues...Began season at Salt Lake, making three relief appearances (1-0, 4.50) before being recalled by Angels, April 18...Made three appearances before being optioned, April 25...Also recalled May 27 for his longest stint, making nine appearances before being optioned July 11...Was recalled, September 1 and spent remainder of season on big league roster...Was 0-0 with a 5.13 ERA (19.1 IP - 11 ER) in 13 Major League appearances... Struck out 21 batters in 19.1 IP...Had longest outing of career, October 1 vs. Texas (2.2 IP)...At Salt Lake, finished 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA (43.1 IP - 15 ER) in 29 relief appearances...Allowed 41 hits (7 HR), walked 11 and struck out 51.

2008

Started the season pitching in two games for the Angels (0-0, 22.50) before being optioned to Salt Lake on April 5...Was recalled on April 26 and tossed one scoreless inning at Detroit before being optioned back to Salt Lake on April 28...Posted a 1-0 record with a 4.38 ERA (12.1 IP - 6 ER) in nine games at Salt Lake...Placed on disabled list on May 9 with right shoulder nerve inflammation...Activated off the disabled list on September 1 and recalled on the same day.

2007

In 2007, played at all levels during season, including single-A Rancho Cucamonga, double-A Arkansas, triple-A Salt Lake and Angels...Was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 WP) in one appearance with Rancho Cucamonga...Pitched in 21 games (three starts) with Arkansas, posting 2-3 record and 2.01 ERA (49.1 IP - 11 ER)...Limited opponents to .193 (34-176) average against...Finished 3-0 with one save and a 2.19 ERA (24.2 IP - 6 ER) in 16 games with Salt Lake...Had contract selected by Angels, Sept. 1...Made Major League debut, Sept. 1 vs. Texas (1 IP, 1 H, 2 SO)...Appeared in seven games, posting no record and 10.80 ERA (6.2 IP - 4 ER)...Overall on season, walked 23 batters and struck out 94...Was MLB Futures Game World Team Selection.

2006

In 2006, split season between double-A Arkansas and triple-A Salt Lake...Was 3-4 with 10 saves and a 5.13 ERA (66.2 IP - 38 ER) in 42 games with Travelers...Led club in saves...30 games finished ranked fourth in Midwest League...Appeared in four games with Bees, posting 0-1 record, one save and 12.46 ERA (4.1 IP - 6 ER).

2005

In 2005, spent entire campaign at single-A Rancho Cucamonga...Was 6-8 with three saves and a 5.27 ERA (121.1 IP - 71 ER) in 42 games (15 starts)...Ranked tied for second on club in wins, fifth in games, fourth in starts, tied for third in saves, second in innings pitched and third in strikeouts (92)...Finished 2-5 with a 5.80 ERA (76 IP - 49 ER) as starter.

2004

In 2004, spent entire campaign at single-A Rancho Cucamonga...Was 3-2 with four saves and a 3.94 ERA (77.2 IP - 34 ER) in 41 games (five starts)...Ranked fifth on club in games pitched, third in saves and fourth in strikeouts (71)...Was 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA (27.2 IP - 9 ER) as a starter.

2003

In 2003, split season between single-A Cedar Rapids and single-A Rancho Cucamonga... Was 1-2 with nine saves and a 0.24 ERA (37.2 IP - 1 ER) in 31 games with Cedar Rapids...Average against (.140) was tops in Midwest League...12.90 strikeouts per 9 IP ranked fifth in league...Was second on club in saves... Named to Midwest League All-Star Team...Finished 2-2 with eight saves and a 4.91 ERA (29.1 IP - 16 ER) in 24 games with Quakes...Ranked second on club in saves.

2002

In 2002, began professional career with Angels rookie club in Mesa...Posted 2-0 record with one save and a 2.70 ERA (23.1 IP - 7 ER) in 15 games...Walked nine batters and struck out 29...Average against was .167 ranking second in league.