Headlines

  • Marlins Place Eury Perez On 15-Day Injured List, Select Jeff Lindgren
  • Sandy Alcantara Shut Down For Rest Of 2023 Season
  • Brandon Lowe To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Kneecap Fracture
  • Rays Promote Junior Caminero
  • Sean Doolittle Announces Retirement
  • Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rangers Designate Bubba Thompson For Assignment

By Anthony Franco | August 11, 2023 at 5:34pm CDT

The Rangers announced they’ve designated outfielder Bubba Thompson for assignment. The move opens room on the 40-man for J.P. Martínez, who was officially selected onto the big league roster. Travis Jankowski was placed on the paternity list to clear an active roster spot for Martínez.

A former first-round pick, Thompson reached the majors last August after five minor league campaigns. An elite runner, Thompson had stolen 49 bases and was caught just thrice for Triple-A Round Rock last season. He hit .265 and stole 18 more bags in 55 big league contests down the stretch, though that came with a modest .302 on-base percentage and well below-average .312 slugging mark.

Last year’s decent batting average was built on a massive .389 average on balls in play, as Thompson struck out at an alarming 30.9% clip. As one of the league’s fastest players, he’s likely to run a BABIP higher than the .297 league average. Yet hitting nearly .400 on balls in play consistently is a tall task for anyone.

Likely anticipating some regression in his offensive production, Texas signed Robbie Grossman to take primary left field duties. Jankowski has been very good in a fourth outfield role, leaving Thompson to tally only 60 MLB plate appearances over 37 games. He struggled to a .170/.237/.283 line in that scattershot playing time. While he improved his strikeout and walk numbers marginally, Thompson only made contact on 61.5% of his swings — a rate topped by every qualified hitter around the league.

Thompson’s production in Triple-A has also taken a step back. Despite carrying solid walk and strikeout marks at the top minor league level, he’s hitting .260/.362/.378 through 149 plate appearances at Round Rock. He’s gone 16-18 on stolen bases but has only two homers in 32 games after connecting on 13 longballs in 80 Triple-A contests a season ago.

While the 25-year-old Thompson is clearly still a work in progress offensively, he has some standout skills that could intrigue another club. There are few more effective baserunners. Thompson has stolen 22 bases in 27 attempts at the MLB level and has been successful at a huge 83.2% clip in his minor league career. That standout speed gives him the ability to play all three outfield spots, though he’s spent most of his MLB time in left field.

Texas has no choice but to put Thompson on waivers within the next week. It seems fairly likely he’ll be claimed. Another team willing to carry him on the 40-man roster could keep him in the minors for the foreseeable future. Thompson is in his first of three minor league option seasons.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Texas Rangers Transactions Bubba Thompson Julio Pablo Martinez

Mariners Place J.P. Crawford On Injured List
Main
Longtime Reds’ Beat Reporter John Fay Passes Away
View Comments (38)

Comments

  1. Hired Gun 23

    1 month ago

    Who is the most successful ‘Bubba’ in MLB history?

    3
    Reply
    • Edp007

      1 month ago

      I remember the Royals had a big prospect 1st rounder named Bubba ( forget last name) who flopped.
      I think Bubba guys only get to Aaa. Lol flop in the show despite the name.

      2
      Reply
      • vtadave

        1 month ago

        Bubba Starling I believe. I think he was a top 5 or 6 pick without looking it up. Not sure if he’s still toiling in the minors…

        3
        Reply
        • davidrocholl

          1 month ago

          baseball reference has him the 5th pick overall pick, last played in AAA in ’21.

          2
          Reply
        • KCMOWHOA

          1 month ago

          He retired sadly. And is still trying to figure out how to hit on top of his pile of signing bonus money

          Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 month ago

      At least if he ever goes to jail, his reputation precedes him, no one messes with Bubba…
      Bubba is the perennial dominate cell mate

      5
      Reply
    • Lefty_Orioles_Fan

      1 month ago

      Well it is not
      BUBBA Gump
      Bubba Baker
      BUBBA Smith
      Bubba Starling

      Maybe Bubba Trammel

      4
      Reply
      • Edp007

        1 month ago

        Thanks. Bubba Starling

        2
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          1 month ago

          Wilmington Blue Rocks legend Bubba Starling.

          4
          Reply
        • Monkey’s Uncle

          1 month ago

          Bubba Trammell. Runner-up, Bubba Morton, a good bench bar for a few seasons back in the 60s

          2
          Reply
        • Lefty_Orioles_Fan

          1 month ago

          If I remember correctly I allways liked Trammell’s defense

          I saw Morton’s stats they were pretty solid

          1
          Reply
        • ellisd19830

          1 month ago

          Bubba starling could have been what was it the starting Nebraska QB as a freshman?

          1
          Reply
        • ellisd19830

          1 month ago

          Went the other way from Kyler murray

          Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 month ago

      Bubba Church (1950-1955)

      2
      Reply
  2. Edp007

    1 month ago

    If Tim Mayza had a son would he name him Bubba?
    Ah that’s Bubbamayza eh?

    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 month ago

      Jame Gumb (known by the nickname “Buffalo Bill” Silence of the Lambs) had an offspring with Bubba, it would be known as Bubba Gumb, chewy and delicious, just don’t blow bubbles, he knows Bubba…

      2
      Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    With a first name like “Leslie” I could see why one would want to go by Bubba.

    6
    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      1 month ago

      How can you say that? Think of all the great Leslies the MLB has seen over the years. There’s been… well there’s… err…

      You have a point.

      4
      Reply
    • j_butte

      1 month ago

      Former mlb umpire Leslie Nielsen is an American icon.

      2
      Reply
      • Monkey’s Uncle

        1 month ago

        “… … … strike???
        STRIKE!!!!!”

        1
        Reply
      • Edp007

        1 month ago

        Actually a Canadian icon 🙂

        1
        Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 month ago

          Canada is part of North America… Sheesh

          Reply
        • j_butte

          1 month ago

          Born in Canada, died in America…he’s ours now.

          Reply
  4. Monkey’s Uncle

    1 month ago

    Bubba is what you call a “3 outcomes” guy, a 245-pound DH. Not a Billy Hamilton clone.

    Reply
    • In Seager We Trust

      1 month ago

      Which 3 outcomes?

      Reply
      • Monkey’s Uncle

        1 month ago

        Homer, walk, strikeout.

        Or, if you prefer: strikeout, strikeout, DFA

        1
        Reply
  5. Motor City Beach Bum

    1 month ago

    Someone who needs speed on the basepaths will grab him for the playoffs or a team with nothing to lose should give him a test drive. Poor man’s Esteury Ruiz?

    1
    Reply
    • Melchez17

      1 month ago

      Esteury Ruiz is a poor mans Esteury Ruiz.

      4
      Reply
  6. sugoi51

    1 month ago

    Hubba bubba gum was the worst.

    Reply
  7. davidrocholl

    1 month ago

    Ok, color me confused. If a player has options left, why are they designated?

    1
    Reply
    • iang2424

      1 month ago

      DFA means they are being removed from the 40 man regardless of how many options they have.

      1
      Reply
  8. jacl

    1 month ago

    who cares if he doesn’t hit home runs? if he can get on base at a .362 clip he has a spot on my team anyday

    Reply
  9. HALfromVA

    1 month ago

    I’m kinda surprised-rather than giving up on a 25-year-old with elite speed, figured they would cut Brad Miller loose, and eat the 2 mil they still owe him.

    3
    Reply
    • Oneofthesedays

      1 month ago

      Brad Miller must be Chris Youngs very best friend, to hold down a roster spot all year on a team with WS aspirations and contribute virtually nothing is criminal

      2
      Reply
  10. KCMOWHOA

    1 month ago

    Royals salivating at this bum

    Reply
  11. suntv

    1 month ago

    Jose Cisnero for Bubba T.

    Reply
  12. SanDiegoSuperDissapointingPadres

    1 month ago

    Bubba Thompson…thought he’d thrown in the towel with NASCAR and gave baseball a go, guess not!

    Hey, Michael Jordan is his team owner he could have given him the advice, never know!

    Reply
  13. juanwood3rd

    1 month ago

    The Bubba experiment needs to end. Bubba and Cone type high draft picks didn’t work.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Marlins Place Eury Perez On 15-Day Injured List, Select Jeff Lindgren

    Sandy Alcantara Shut Down For Rest Of 2023 Season

    Brandon Lowe To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Kneecap Fracture

    Rays Promote Junior Caminero

    Sean Doolittle Announces Retirement

    Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager

    Qualifying Offer Value To Land Around $20.5MM

    Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Elbow Surgery

    Marlins Claim Matt Moore From Guardians

    Rays To Announce New Stadium Deal

    Reds Designate Hunter Renfroe For Assignment

    Shohei Ohtani Out For Season With Oblique Strain

    Marcus Stroman To Pitch Out Of Bullpen

    Red Sox Fire Chaim Bloom

    Orioles Select Heston Kjerstad

    Jasson Dominguez To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Max Scherzer Unlikely To Return This Year Due To Teres Major Strain

    Ryan Mountcastle Being Evaluated For Shoulder Issue, Heston Kjerstad Promotion Possible

    Nationals Agree To Multi-Year Extension With Mike Rizzo

    Mets Reach Agreement To Hire David Stearns As President Of Baseball Operations

    Recent

    NL East Notes: Arraez, Waldrep, Kay

    Trevor Kelley Accepts Outright Assignment From Rays

    AL Notes: Brantley, Robert, Montas, Diaz

    Guardians Activate Triston McKenzie From 60-Day IL

    Angels Select Carson Fulmer, Place Mike Trout On 60-Day IL

    Twins Activate Chris Paddack

    Braves Place Charlie Morton On 15-Day Injured List

    Red Sox Designate Kyle Barraclough For Assignment

    AL East Notes: Belt, Mountcastle, Adam, Arozarena

    Previewing The 2023-24 Free Agent Class: Lefty Relievers

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version