Ganin Thompson, one of the best baseball players in South Dakota, wants that to mean more than it does
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (BVM) — For Ganin Thompson, being from South Dakota means something. He takes pride in it. However, he does know the struggles that go with being from South Dakota when it comes to making a name for yourself in the sports world.听
鈥淚 know some of the players around here that are extremely solid that should be getting looks but aren鈥檛 because we鈥檙e just a small state,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to represent what South Dakota has to offer.鈥�
The Sioux Falls Washington High School graduate will have quite the stage to showcase what homegrown South Dakota talent looks like as he will be attending Michigan State University this fall on a full baseball scholarship.
Even his recruitment to the Spartans proves his point that to get noticed outside of the Mount Rushmore state, you need a little luck.
鈥淚 was playing out in a tournament in South Bend over at Notre Dame鈥檚 field and the [Michigan State] head coach, Jake Boss, was in the area. He was supposed to watch a different player,鈥� Boss said. 鈥淭heir game got canceled because it just down poured and they were on natural [grass], we were on all turf so he came over to our field.鈥�
All it took was that one game for Michigan State to know that they needed to get Thompson before someone else noticed him.
“I’ve never recruited a guy quite like Ganin,” Michigan State baseball assistant coach/recruiting director Graham Sikes said when the . 鈥淗e is an enormous athlete at 6-7, 220, he’s a 6.8-6.9 runner and has played centerfield, and looks very natural out there. You don’t see that every day.听
鈥淲hen I went to see Ganin he showed tremendous power with the bat. I think he has a load of talent and tools and when he can refine that talent and polish up those tools, he could be a very unique player. He’s also another kid that is a 4.0 student and comes from a good family. He’s going to have the opportunity to pitch as well and what is now a fastball that’s 88-89 could turn into 92-94. It鈥檚 going to be fun to see how he develops! I look forward to getting him on campus.”听
鈥淚t was very quick,鈥� Thompson said of the recruiting process.听
The Spartans aggressively pursued Thompson from the beginning. It was luck that they found him, but they weren鈥檛 going to leave the rest up to luck. What Michigan State realized is something that South Dakotans already knew. Thompson was the real deal.
Thompson is a two-time all-region selection and received first team all-state honors last year as a junior when he had an ERA of 2.05 with 56 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. He also batted .365 with a slugging percentage of .622. Had the season not been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he would have more than likely earned first team all-state and all-region honors again.
Thompson also played center/forward for the Washington basketball team, helping the Warriors to a state tournament berth this past season as well as receiving second team all-state honors. Washington boys basketball was poised for an exciting tournament run before it too was canceled due COVID-19.
The multi-sport athlete has his work cut out for him. Michigan State鈥檚 2020 recruiting class is pitcher-heavy, but he鈥檚 ready for the challenge.
鈥淲e really got some arms coming in,鈥� Thompson said, 鈥済uys that can throw hard and I know I鈥檒l have to work hard to be able to catch up with them especially since I鈥檒l be splitting my time between the mound and defense.鈥�
The Spartans will work him as a corner outfielder first and a pitcher second. Either way, Thompson is ready and willing to play wherever he is needed.
鈥淚 just want to make sure the team is the best that it can be,鈥� Thompson said.
Right now Thompson is in the midst of a summer season with the South Dakota Bulls, but he鈥檚 still looking at the bigger picture and remembering what he represents.
鈥淓ven from these small states like South Dakota where you think that not that many people are going to be going DI,鈥� Thompson said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 surprising how many guys we got coming out of the state that have gotten Division I looks and have committed to some pretty solid programs. I鈥檓 just one of the bunch and I can鈥檛 be thankful enough for what I鈥檝e been given.鈥�
