David Thompson broke Alex Rodriguez's homer and RBI records while playing at the same Miami high school from which A-Rod graduated. Thompson also set the state of Florida’s career long ball record, breaking the prep mark previously held by Prince Fielder.

Now, after reaching the College World Series with the University of Miami as a junior, Thompson has turned pro. The New York Mets selected the 21-year-old Thompson, a third baseman, in the fourth round of last month’s draft. Through 11 games with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Thompson is hitting .289 (11-for-38) with two extra-base hits and six RBIs.

Thompson was playing for the Cyclones days after Miami was ousted from its first College World Series appearance since 2008.

“I kind of just got home, unpacked, washed my stuff, and packed and came right up to Brooklyn,” Thompson said.

Thompson initially was poised to be a two-sport student-athlete with the Hurricanes. Recruited to be a quarterback, he attended every football meeting and practice his freshman year, although he did not dress out for games because he required labrum surgery and was wearing a sling. He walked away from football and concentrated solely on baseball after his first year on campus.

“A couple of shoulder surgeries later, that helped determine that,” Thompson said. “Also, when the offensive coordinator that recruited me left, that’s when I knew it was time to just focus on baseball.”

Thompson’s sophomore season of baseball was interrupted by a medical issue.

“We played Georgia Tech on a weekend and got back on a Monday,” he said. “I was on a bike ride and, randomly, I just couldn’t hold onto the bike anymore. The next couple of days my arm swelled up and turned a little purple and I couldn’t really feel my fingers in my right arm.

“It was very alarming. I went to the hospital on Wednesday and didn’t get out for a couple of weeks. It was a long process.”

Thompson was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. Because of a broken vein in his right arm and clotting, blood would flow down to his fingers, but was unable to return. Doctors twice tried to break up clots using a process known as “ballooning.” Each time, the clot returned the following day. Doctors eventually performed a procedure to remove his first rib as well as the troublesome vein. He was back playing eight weeks later.

This season, Thompson led the Division I level in RBIs (90 in 67 games). He nearly led the nation in homers as well with 19, but was overtaken in Omaha.

“Leading the nation in RBIs, that was a big accomplishment -- and almost leading the nation in home runs until [Arkansas’ Andrew] Benintendi (20) passed me in the College World Series,” Thompson said.

As for breaking A-Rod’s high school records, Thompson added: “It definitely was a huge accomplishment and a blessing to be able to break some of his records.”

ORGANIZATION LEADERS

Average: Ali Sanchez, GCL Mets, .500; Vinny Siena, Brooklyn, .390; Kenneth Bautista, GCL Mets, .364; Milton Ramos, Kingsport, .341; Patrick Mazeika, Kingsport, .327; Jeff McNeil, St. Lucie, .319; Michael Bernal, Brooklyn, .318; T.J. Rivera, Vegas, .309; Jayce Boyd, Vegas, .303; Luis Guillorme, Savannah, .300.

Homers: Alex Castellanos, Vegas, 15; Travis Taijeron, Vegas, 14; Josh Rodriguez, Binghamton, 13; Michael Conforto, Binghamton, 10; Aderlin Rodriguez, Binghamton, 9.

RBIs: Josh Rodriguez, Binghamton, 53; Alex Castellanos, Vegas, 51; Dominic Smith, St. Lucie, 49; Matt Reynolds, Vegas, 48; Michael Conforto, Binghamton, 47.

Steals: Wilfredo Tovar, Vegas, 21; Champ Stuart, St. Lucie, 21; Patrick Biondi, Savannah, 15; Jeff McNeil, St. Lucie, 13; Jonathan Johnson, Savannah, 13.

ERA: Ronald Guedez, GCL Mets, 0.82; Tyler Badamo, Brooklyn, 1.35; Matt Blackham, Brooklyn, 1.45; Edwin German, GCL Mets, 1.80; Steven Matz, Vegas, 2.19; Casey Meisner, St. Lucie, 2.23; Michael Fulmer, Binghamton, 2.44; Nabil Crismatt, Kingsport, 2.63; Merandy Gonzalez, GCL Mets, 3.00; John Gant, Binghamton, 3.06.

Wins: Casey Meisner, St. Lucie, 9; Robert Gsellman, Binghamton, 8; Scarlyn Reyes, Savannah, 8.

Saves: Paul Sewald, Binghamton, 14; Akeel Morris, Binghamton, 13; Jon Velasquez, Binghamton, 13; Jimmy Duff, Savannah, 9; David Roseboom, Savannah, 8.

Strikeouts: Steven Matz, Vegas, 94; John Gant, Binghamton, 77; Casey Meisner, St. Lucie, 76; Brad Wieck, Savannah, 74; Martires Arias, Savannah, 73.

SHORT HOPS