The 31-year-old spoke with LA Times Dodger insider Jack Harris to reflect on his 2022 campaign and what he plans to improve on in 2023. You cant ask for anything better than this, to play here in L.A. for a great team like the Dodgers, who have a chance to get to the Series. [31][32] Thompson remained on the Dodgers active roster the rest of the season, hitting .268 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 74 games. Thompson made the opening-day roster coming out of spring training in 2016. Hes trying to fit him in when he can?!? Hed always been doing his own thing and baseballs nonstop calendar never afforded him a chance to be there. Both of his older brothers are basketball players: Mychel played in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012, and Klay has played for the Golden State Warriors since 2011. Its not hard to suspect that Trayce has been successful for reasons beyond pure athletic skill. Klay tells me how proud he was of Trayces big-league debut with the White Sox in 2015, but more than that, he remembers him hitting his stride in his rookie year on the 2016 Dodgers. But this game isnt about talent, its about performance at the major-league level. Thats what his brothers hoping for, at least. Thompson said he wants to minimize his weaknesses, including . Hes a good chess player, but hes a reckless chess player. Miguel Rojas left the Dodgers spring game Sunday with a right foot and calf cramp after limping into first base on a third-inning single against the Cubs. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He has also played for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and the San Diego Padres. Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more. 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational PGA DFS Targets: Is Rory McIlroy Too Chalky? So this spring, hes trying to find a happy medium, confident that the right setup will allow him to succeed against pitchers of either hand. He had. I was talking with my uncle about it. I cant speak right now to what the role is gonna look like on opening day, what its gonna look like in the middle of the season But were gonna need him.. I was really inconsistent. He was so excited., Trayce smiles as I read it back to him. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) "Coming up, you always think you're. [10], On March 13, 2022, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. [3] Before the 2013 season, Thompson was ranked the White Sox #2 prospect. When the Dodgers acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson from the Tigers in late June, his role was pretty clear: help hold down the fort while Mookie Betts was on the injured list with a fractured rib. Trayce Thompson was born in Los Angeles, CA. Its the club with which, six years ago, he experienced the peak of his career. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Trayce Thompson had 56 hits last season and 173 hits over his career. Hes absolutely terrible with his phone. On Monday, the Dodgers traded for Thompson, who had an upcoming opt-out clause in his minor-league deal with Detroit. Trayce Thompson is happy to be back with the Dodgers even if his trip back to Los Angeles has been a long trek. This is baseball, not basketball, so a half-decade moving up isnt rareGriffey and ARod of the those Thompson childhood Mariners teams being notable exceptions. Santa Margarita Catholic HS (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA). Like, thats my brother, man! Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more! Trayce Thompson is batting .295 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 29 games during his current stint with the Dodgers. Two days before he was set to celebrate Klays triumphant return in the Warriors championship parade last month, Mychal Thompson sat in a Bay Area hotel room and witnessed his other sons latest turning point unfold in real time. I had too much sense of urgency, probably tried to to do too much, Thompson said. For now, simply being back in the majors and with the Dodgers, especially has been a fulfilling first step. He wore Number 21, his oldest brother Mychels jersey number with the Cavs, and seemed to have staked his claim to a piece of the Dodgers bright future. ; High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School; Debut August 4, 2015; Born March 15, 1991 in Los Angeles, CA USA; BR page. Jack Harris covers the Dodgers for the Los Angeles Times. Kay played college basketball at Washington State from 2008 to Read more Looking for something? It was his dream to put the Dodger uniform on again., Mychal Thompson, father of Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. ), Your email address will not be published. Trayce Thompson Is Grateful to Be Back in the Land of Stars A winding career has brought the 31-year-old outfielder back to Los Angeles, where he is playing a key role. A Southland native who attended Santa Margarita High in Orange County, Thompson was drafted by the White Sox in the second round in 2009, then traded to the Dodgers after a successful MLB debut in 2015. Trayce Thompson Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com | baseballsavant.com LF | B/T: R/R | 6' 3" 225LBS | Age: 31 Draft: 2009 | Rd: 2, #61, Chicago White Sox | Santa Margarita HS Player Apps Pitch Highlighter | Player Similarity | Shifts | Swing Take Profile | illustrator | Zone Swing Profile | Player Comparison | Transaction History [19] The White Sox designated Thompson for assignment on June 22, 2018. He was stunned to see his son wasnt in the lineup and texted to find out why only to discover Trayce had been packing his apartment following the trade. But in ping pong, I destroy him. Back in the summer of 2021, Thompson and his fianc Jillian secretly had a baby. And the team that, over the last month, has given him a long-awaited opportunity back in the majors. Help; FANDOM. Then, he was confused. Theres a lot more room to grow.. He is outplaying Gallo and Taylor. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. . The #Padres have placed OF Wil Myers on the 10-Day IL (retro: 4/27) with a right thumb contusion and selected the contract of OF Trayce Thompson. Makes you wonder if Klay is starting to feel the pressure to pop one out now that his younger brother is a Dad. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Trayces father was the first overall pick in the 1978 draft and won two championships with the 1980s Lakers. Trayce grins. EVANSTON, Ill. - Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson played a key role in Indiana's comeback effort on Wednesday night against Northwestern. When you hurt your back, its just such a flip of the coin. His beard is close-trimmed, and his forehead is shaded by a Dodgers hat. Now, I got back here right towards the end of June, beginning of July. Trayce, right, with brothers Klay and Mychel in 2017. Jeff wrote and edited for Baseball Essential for years before joining Dodgers Nation. 13 years in, his hard work is finally. Certainly, losing Justin and C.T. Motivated to prove he still was a viable player, Thompson said he focused more than ever headed into 2019. If the Dodgers make a deal for Juan Soto, it would bolster a lineup that should win World Series championships down the line. Trayce remembers driving from Irvine, Calif., to the Bay Area that night to support the brother hed always thought of as Iron Man, unsure of what to say. His defense is spectacular too. You can meet us on the third hole or whatever. After last years season-long struggle to find consistency off the bench, its a luxury for the Dodgers to be able to give Mookie a day off once in a while and know they have a player like Thompson ready to take his place. Thats what it comes down to.. [7] He hit his first major league home run on August 11 against Hector Santiago. It'd be the best year of our lives. Trayce had been fortunate enough to attend Klays return to the NBA on Jan. 9 after 941 days between games, a super emotional night he found fulfilling. But the way I looked at it was, its gonna be intense, its gonna help me prepare for the season and its just down the road. Biographical Information []. And as closer Craig Kimbrel labored to lock down the save in the ninth, it was Thompson's tremendous running catch in foul territory that sealed the victory. Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson is looking to build upon his breakout season from a year ago. That was going to be Craigs last hitter, so we needed every bit of that.\n\nThompson actually made the play look much easier than it was, thanks to a great jump off the bat and direct route to the ball. For goodness sake, his numbers and the eye test say hes better than Gallo, Taylor and even Bellinger right now! It felt like he was back home. During his previous career as an executive at a technology company, he began writing about baseball in his spare time. And as NBA first-rounders, Mychal and Klay played right away. Oh man! He needs to be in the flow of the game for his best performance. Despite the setbacks, he didnt contemplate retirement. A big Dodgers fan, Mychal Thompson said his sons return is a dream come true. He also pointed out it could lead to another family celebration come November. (I do like him in the bottom of the order. That was going to be Craigs last hitter, so we needed every bit of that.. He also had many self talks, trying to replenish his psyche with confidence and conviction.. As long as that opportunity is within my grasp and I can knock the door down and control my own destiny, kind of like I did earlier this season with San Diego, Im going to bet on myself. At the plate in the second, he launched the first pitch he saw from Rockies starter Chad Kuhl 430 feet to center. On February 2, 2020, he signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. vs. TBR 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, Rookie Status: Four ways the Dodgers can fill the hole in their lineup, Its a huge blow. Gavin Lux tears right ACL and is expected to miss 2023 season, Cactus League stadium guide: Everything you need to know to attend spring training. 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