The Red Sox announced Monday that they’ve signed outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor league contract. The Wasserman client will join their big league camp for the remainder of spring training.
Thompson has appeared in parts of seven major league seasons and, in 1058 plate appearances, has batted .212/.300/.411. The former second-round pick and brother of NBA star Klay Thompson has suited up for the White Sox, Dodgers, A’s, Cubs and Padres over the years. He split the 2024 season between the Triple-A affiliates for the Cubs and Mets, hitting a combined .233/.315/.471 (98 wRC+) in 432 trips to the plate.
The 33-year-old Thompson (34 next month) comes to the Red Sox with at least 600 big league innings in all three outfield spots. His once-plus speed has dipped closer to average, but he gives them a potential right-handed bat to pair with a left-leaning outfield that includes Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida (though Yoshida will primarily serve as a designated hitter). Thompson, however, has reverse splits in his career and has generally handled right-handed opponents better than he’s handled lefties. That trend held up in Triple-A last season, when he hit .237/.314/.495 against fellow righties but only .218/.317/.391 versus lefties.
Boston’s outfield mix already includes defensive standout Ceddanne Rafaela and backup Rob Refsnyder, both of whom bat from the right side. Top prospects Roman Anthony (left-handed) and Kristian Campbell (right-handed) could force their way into the mix, too — as could prospect Jhostynxon Garcia who, unlike Anthony and Campbell, is already on the 40-man roster. Garcia bats from the right side of the dish as well.
How does this guy keep getting signed? At least Joey Gallo hits home runs.
its minor leagues, absolutely little risk, he keeps himself around because he has good power ability. If he hit .220 and 15hrs teams will think that season to be very successful his ceiling is very low but hard to achieve for him as well.
If he plays for Boston in 25, it means another last place finish. Short term moves either didn’t work or got trades at the deadline. More likely just a body to fill up the Worcester roster with an older player to provide guidance to the kids.
yes if he plays for a duration things went south in 25
An awful lot would have to go south for him to play in Fenway this year. Boston is loaded in the outfield. He’s a guy who fills out the roster in Worcester and if other outfielders come up from AA like Garcia then you send him packing.
1) They were missing at least one OF in Worcester. Even worse when/if Anthony or Campbell make the majors.
2) Disposable fill-in who won’t embarrass himself in the majors and you won’t mind DFA’ing. You don’t want to have to add someone you care about to the 40 for a short term need unless they are really ready.
Darren
People want basketball tix to his brother’s games?
His father and brother were NBA stars
brother “were”? I think he is still playing for Mavs
His brother was a star, now he’s a JAG. Just another guard.
This guy sucks.
Thats irrelevant here. I’m not playing and he shouldn’t be either.
He’s playing professional baseball and you aren’t at the moment. We can leave it at that.
His 2022 season with the Dodgers was lightning in a bottle
That’s exactly what I was thinking about Candelita’s season last year with the Mets, but Boras hasn’t found him a deal yet.
Worcester depth…
I thought he had disappeared without a Trayce.
Nah that’s his broha- one trick pony
Trayce isn’t as professionally hardened as his brother Klay.
Just call him MUD for short.
Don’t forget the Go Fund Me to get spelling lessons for the parents..
Yeah, I always wonder if some parents are trying to be trendy or just plain illiterate.
It’s a toss up in most cases.
This is the type of contract where you either look up minor league stats at the end of the year and remember that he plays for your franchise after you forgot tomorrow, or he takes MLB at bats for your team because the season went horribly wrong.
If he wasn’t Klay’s brother, he’d be out of baseball 5 years ago
You’re dumb.
I can’t believe they buried this signing with the Devers press conference. Watch out rest of the MLB.
(I actually like the move, potential RH depth piece but those reverse splits aren’t the best)
This guy has more lives than Michael Myers.
Why can’t Steve Adams learn that there shouldn’t be a comma before “too?” This is an archaic rule.