If I remember correctly, Trayce Thompson was a fan favorite when he first played with LAD. I was certainly a fan, as I saw him as a SVS clone, another of my favorites.
The Dodgers brass believed they were short on RHH, and everyone thought they were short on OF. The answer…6’ 3” 225 lbs RHH OF. Trayce plays all three OF positions, but primarily RF.
I always thought that Trayce was the potential replacement for SVS (Scott Van Slyke). SVS is a 6’ 4” 215 lbs RHH OF/1B. SVS can also play all three OF positions, but his primary position was LF. Scott was done in 2017.
They played together on the 2016 and 2017 teams.
- 2016 SVS – 113 PA – .225/.292/.314/.606
- 2016 TT – 262 PA – .225/.302/.436/.738
- 2017 SVS – 48 PA – .122/.250/.293/.543
- 2017 TT – 55 PA – .122/.218/.265/.484
True 4th OFers. Trayce had 6 outfield assists from RF last year for 2 AAA teams.
Let’s recollect some background on Trayce. You will recall that Trayce is the son of former NBA player and 2-time NBA champion, Mychal Thompson, and brother of NBA veteran, Klay Thompson. Klay is a 4-time NBA champion and 5-time NBA All Star. Klay has spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors.
On December 16, 2015, Trayce was traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Chicago White Sox with Micah Johnson and Frankie Montas to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Brandon Dixon, Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler to the Cincinnati Reds. The Cincinnati Reds sent Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox.
Frankie Montas was later traded to Oakland in the trade package for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. Micah Johnson was traded to Atlanta in 2017, and later traveled around and had a very short-lived MLB career. Micah was out of baseball after 2018. He is now a very accomplished painter. For more on Micah’s painting see here.
I think the Dodgers now need to trade for Frankie Montas, and hire Micah Johnson to paint his impression of the reunion.
In Spring Training 2016, Andre Ethier was injured, and a roster spot became available. Trayce capitalized, made the roster and worked himself into a regular role. Unfortunately, Trayce came down with some back issues. Come July, Trayce could not go any longer. Initially diagnosed with lower back irritation, it was learned in August that Thompson had multiple fractures in his back. He attempted a comeback in September, but could not make it go.
Thompson appeared in 80 games in 2016, batting .225/.302/.436 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 32 RBI, a .318 wOBA and 100 wRC+. May was a fantastic month for Trayce. He hit .270/.352/.603 with six home runs and 14 RBI in 21 games (18 starts).
During those 80 games, Trayce the Dodgers in several offensive categories. Thompson played in all three OF spots:
- LF – 24 (13 starts)
- CF – 32 (26 starts)
- RF – 28 (22 starts)
Still reeling from the back issue, 2017 never really got off the ground. He was originally optioned to OKC but was later recalled, but was only a shadow of himself.
Thompson was DFA’d by LAD on 03/27/18. He was claimed by NYY, and 2 days later claimed again by Oakland. Oakland DFA’d him on 04/17/18, and the White Sox claimed him. He was DFA’d again on 06/22/18.
On 12/01/18, Thompson signed a MiLB contract with Cleveland. Cleveland released him on 08/02/19.
On 02/02/20, Thompson signed a MiLB contract with Arizona, but the pandemic wiped out his season.
He was re-signed by Arizona on 11/02/20, but only played 4 games with Reno (DBacks AAA) in 2021. On 05/11/21, Trayce was traded to Chicago Cubs for cash considerations. Chicago called him up on 09/14/21. He went 7-28 in 25 games. He was outrighted on 11/03/21.
On 03/13/2022, Thompson signed a MiLB contract with the Padres. On 05/10/22, the Padres DFA’d him, and on 05/19/22, he signed a MiLB contract with Detroit. On June 20, Trayce was traded back to LAD for cash considerations.
I did not go through that litany of transactions for Thompson just for the detail. It was to show how resilient, persistent, and dedicated that Thompson has been.
There is no quit in Trayce. For me, he epitomizes the definition of a junkyard dog. With all due respect and credit to Mark Timmons, I give this pictorial designation to Trayce Thompson.
I do not know if he will be a game changer, but he will give it everything he has. He may not be the elite athlete like his brother, but he is a baseball player.
Welcome back Trayce. I look forward to your play.
It’s fine. It’s whatever. It’s not going to make or break the season, but it’ll help the team get through until Betts returns.
Trayce Thompson to replace Mookie Betts.
This is a Dodger move?
just read this at The Athletic
pitchers available at deadline
#1 Luis Castillo, Reds
Luis Castillo, RHP, RedsAge: 29
W-L: 2-4 ERA: 3.33 FIP: 3.43 IP: 46
WAR: 1.2 (Baseball-Reference) WHIP: 1.087
Castillo is the most talented starting pitcher who could be traded by the deadline and he’s under team control through 2023, his final year of salary arbitration eligibility. He has posted a 3.33 ERA in eight starts, allowing just 35 hits in 46 innings with 43 strikeouts and 15 walks despite three of those games coming at Great American Small Park. Castillo’s fastball has been sitting 96 to 98 mph, and he throws an 88 mph changeup and an 87 mph slider. Opposing batters are hitting .107 against his four-seamer, .269 against his sinker, .180 against his changeup and .226 against his slider. His fastball velocity ranks in the 91st percentile. His chase rate ranks in the 63rd percentile and his hard-hit percentage is in the 68th percentile. Castillo could fetch the best prospect package of any player traded before Aug. 2.
Best team fits: Dodgers, Braves, Red Sox, Twins, Angels, Mets
other pitchers of course mentioned, but not connected to Dodgers
I am not sure what fans may have expected. He wouldn’t be here if Kevin Pillar did not get injured. The nasty comments that I read on MLBTradeRumors because AF did not go out and get Andrew Benintendi or some other difference maker right now. This team should not rely on Trayce Thompson or Eddy Alvarez. They need their regulars to step up. JT, Muncy, CT3, Belli. If this team needs Trayce Thompson to be the star, they are in trouble. When you only have three starters not on the IL batting above .250 in the lineup, three under .215, and one at a sparkling .153, Trayce Thompson is not the problem.
When you have a closer with an 0-3 record, an ERA at 4.71, and a WHIP of 1.57, Trayce Thompson is not the problem. With a reliever team ERA in the month of June of 4.18, Trayce Thompson is not the problem. Or the team is 8-68 WRISP (exceptional .118 BA) and have left 68 men on base in the last 8 games, Trayce Thompson is not the problem. Can he be worse than AJ Pollock was in the 2019 ALDS when he went 0-13 with 11 Ks?
Things need to be put into perspective. He is a AAAA player, noting more, but one that does not quit. Let’s not expect him to put the Dodger players on his shoulder and carry them to the WS.
For the last few years I have made a game out of offering Dodger players that I felt were overhyped at LADT in trades for close to untouchable players on other teams. I was like if Muncy for instance was soooo good, why can’t they get so in so for him.
I always offered Muncy in trades. He always made me look bad for it. Not this year. Others I regularly offered up were Verdugo, Grandal, Bellinger, and Seager. Seager because I thought if they could trade him for Lindor then maybe the Dodgers would be better able to re-sign Lindor where they couldn’t/wouldn’t re-sign Seager. Well, that and I thought Lindor was the better player.
Players I wanted were Buxton, Gleyber, Hanigar, Lindor, Chapman, and Olsen. Someone at LADT said the Dodgers would be a last place team if I were GM.
Welcome to the Dodgers Trace.
JT and Muncy are killing the team. Trayce can not be any worse than those two. Time for some guys to get with the program and start producing. I am looking for major changes to the team in 2023.