A Closer Look at Dodgers’ Trayce Thompson

On Tuesday, I wrote a story about Josh Ravin and his journey to the majors. We are highlighting some “under the radar” players and today it is all about Trayce Thompson.

The Dodgers Way staff all decided to highlight some “under the radar” players on the Dodger for the upcoming 2016 season. Earlier this week I kicked off the series and wrote an article about Josh Ravin and his journey to the majors. Today, I wanted to highlight a player the Dodgers acquired this offseason, Trayce Thompson.

Trayce Thompson comes from a family that has professional athleticism in their bloodlines. Trayce is the son of former two time NBA Champion Mychal Thompson.

Both of Trayce Thompson’s brothers have also played in the NBA: Mychel formerly played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently plays for the Pallacanestro Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A overseas. His other brother Klay, currently plays for the Golden State Warriors. Needless to say, athletic ability and the love of sports runs in the family.

Trayce Thompson is a 24 year old outfielder from Ladera Ranch, California. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft. Before begin drafted, Trayce committed to attending UCLA and playing on their baseball team.

For the past five years, Thompson has worked his way through the Chicago White Sox minor league system. He started the 2015 season with the AAA affiliate for the White Sox, the Charlotte Knights in Charlotte, North Caroline. With the Knights, Thompson hit .260 in 104 games. On August 3, 205, he was added to the White Sox 40 man roster and made his major league debut the following day.

Thompson hit his first major league homerun on August 11 off of Hector Santiago when facing the Los Angeles Angles. In 44 games with the big club, Trayce hit .295 and had an OPS of .896.

On December 16, 2015 Trayce Thompson was involved in a three team trade that sent Todd Fraizer to the White Sox, Jose Peraza, Scott Schebler, and Brandon Dixon to the Cincinnati Reds, and Thompson, Micah Johnson and Frankie Montas to the Dodgers.

For spring training it will not be a huge adjustment for Thompson. Since the White Sox and the Dodgers share a facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, he will just have to make his way to the fields on the opposite side of the stadium.

Thompson’s teammate from the White Sox also had to remind himself the same thing this morning.

Trayce Thompson also has some connections with the current Dodger team. He and Joc Pederson have been friends for awhile now and he played in an instructional league with Scott Van Slyke.

Trayce Thompson’s numbers may not jump off the page, but it is clear he comes from a family that believes in hard work and knows how to gain success in their sports industry. With his drive and work ethic, I think Thompson has a bright future with a big league club.

As an outfielder, and primarily center fielder when he came up with the Chicago White Sox, I am not completely sure where he will fit in the Dodgers line up. That aside, I am a fan of his and look forward to seeing how he continues to adjust and grow to big league pitching.