Ugh, yeah.. It's an unspoken advantage, Trayce says. And then, of course, theres the Klay of it all. The trade-off, he noted, was that he felt more comfortable last season against right-handers, who could no longer get away with pounding the outer edge of the plate. Fridays homer was his fourth in 79 at-bats for Los Angeles, and in the month of July, hes hitting .305 with five doubles, a triple and three homers. As Bill Plunkett writes in the Orange County Register, the Dodgers expected Thompson to be solid, but no one expected him to be as good as he has been, including manager Dave Roberts. (I do like him in the bottom of the order. Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson will represent Team Great Britain in the WBC, sources say. Trayces father was the first overall pick in the 1978 draft and won two championships with the 1980s Lakers. He was someone we watched closely and always rooted for.. He doesnt get in his Klay Zone. Trayce Thompson takes batting practice during a workout ahead of Game 1 of the National League Division Series. For now, he believes hes capable of producing for a winner and thats enough to sustain him. Dodgers Trayce Thompson gestures toward the stands after hitting a three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies on July 4 at Dodger Stadium. 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. There were long hours spent in front of a computer, watching and replaying videos of his swing, and others around the sport he admired. Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson signs autographs for fans while watching the Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants on July 24 at Dodger Stadium. Trayce Thompson girlfriend Klay Thompson Mother Julie Thompson Julie Thompson Julie Leslie Thompson aka Julie Thompson is the beautiful and proud mother of NBA shooting guard Klay Thompson who is currently a player for the Golden State Warriors. 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. Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, one of his closest friends, ran over to Thompson last Tuesday when they clinched the NL West title, gave him a long, emotional embrace and said:How cool is this? Indeed, the spectrum ranges from Chicago White Sox black to Oakland Athletic green, Arizona Diamondback red to San Diego Padre brown. Hes trying to fit him in when he can?!? Trayce Thompson lays out for the grab to take away extra bases from Brandon Drury for the first out in the bottom of the 4th inning. Trayce is Klays younger brother by one year. Any time you can find a way to get there physically that made it extra special. Favorite Player: Clayton Kershaw September 1, 2022 September 1, 2022. It was a good year for me and kind of showed me I could still do this, Thompson said. I ask Trayce what would it feel like to win a ring with this Dodgers team the same year his brother won his fourth. Its been a mental grind., I always knew I was capable, he said, so I always saw a light at the end of the tunnel.. Hes headed back to the major leagues. He's also the co-host of the Locked On Dodgers podcast, a daily podcast that brings the smart fan's perspective on our Boys in Blue. Thompson started his baseball career in 2009 at the Rookie level with the Bristol White Sox and Great Falls Voyagers. While discussing his opportunity with the British team Thompson has never been to the U.K., but is hoping the squad can squeak out a win or two to help grow the game there he mentioned that hed previously been approached to represent the country in WBC qualifiers in the spring of 2020. That was going to be Craigs last hitter, so we needed every bit of that.. Welcome to the game outside the game! pic.twitter.com/GIOLqOusaX. The outfielder compiled a .256 average with 13 homers, 41 RBI, 36 runs and four stolen bases over 219 at-bats with the Padres and Dodgers . Trayce nods along graciously as I overshare. Trayce Thompson was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft from Santa Margarita Catholic HS (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA). As Klay returned to the court last fall, going on to win a fourth NBA title with the Warriors, Trayce eventually got back to the majors for the first time in three years, earning a September call-up from the Chicago Cubs last season after hitting 21 home runs during the triple-A season. I wasnt professionally in a place where [I could do it], he said. In one regard, the 31-year-old is in the opposite boat as Taylor. Roberts hinted at such hesitancy when asked at the start of spring about Thompsons participation, saying: Im never going to discourage guys from playing for their countries. Favorite Moment: Kirk Gibson's homer will always have a place, but Kershaw's homer on Opening Day 2013 might be the winner. And on the games final, fateful play, he sprinted 83 feet in 4.6 seconds to make a game-ending grab that, according to Statcast, had a 35 percent catch probability. Jeff wrote and edited for Baseball Essential for years before joining Dodgers Nation. I don't get bothered by it. Thompson and the Dodgers agreed on a one-year, $1.45 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. May 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm ET 1 min read. He carried us for a month or two, manager Dave Roberts recalled. He has also played for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and the San Diego Padres. [15], On April 3, 2018, Thompson was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees[16] and then two days later was claimed again, this time by the Oakland Athletics. In 2012, Thompson hit a combined .253 in 517 at-bats. Anybody got data on that? [36], Last edited on 16 February 2023, at 01:10, "Thompson brothers from family with talent to burn", "Trayce Thompson minor league statistics", "White Sox add Sanchez and Thompson, claim Elmore", "White Sox call up OF Trayce Thompson, brother of NBA star Klay Thompson", "VIDEO: O.C. [26] He had seven hits in 28 at bats over 15 games. For that reason, brothers are shaped by that wrestling match as much as they are by their parents. [7] He hit his first major league home run on August 11 against Hector Santiago. That afternoon, Id asked Trayce what it really means to grow up in a sports family. Trayce must not have gotten the memo, because he hasnt been playing like a fort-holder-downer in his two months back in Los Angeles. He signed with San Diego after the lockout ended and immediately produced at Triple-A El Paso, which earned him a promotion in late April when Wil Myers was injured. For me personally and selfishly, I havent experienced any of these NBA moments. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Its something that I want to be the guy versus lefties So theres a lot of work to do., I know I had a step in the right direction last year for myself and my career, helping this team. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 11:02PM. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He wears Dodger blue leggings under shorts and a matching long-sleeve top. Trayce is the son of former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Mychal Thompson and the younger brother of current NBA player Klay Thompson. Only, it came when he was still trying to claw his way back to the big leagues. Jillian Doors; Community. Meet Trayce Thompson Wife Jillian -Married Life. [25] On November 3, 2021, Thompson was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency two days later. Its something I never really thought could happen.. I learned so much just watching him, Trayce Thompson said. As he toiled in the minors, trying to rediscover his game, his older brother Klay Thompson, the All-Star guard for the Golden State Warriors, was tethered to the bench with a string of serious injuries, missing all of the 2019-20 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and all of 2020-21 with a with a ruptured Achilles tendon. I think were all surprised by it. Its not hard to suspect that Trayce has been successful for reasons beyond pure athletic skill. It was really frustrating, especially in the middle of the season to not know what was going on and being thrown out in the fire of the major leagues. Ive certainly looked at him as inspiration. Have you subscribed to ourYouTube Channelyet? That opportunity enticed the outfielder, too. But he was also aware his career was on the brink. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Try a week on us. Ill say, Tee times at nine o'clock, Klay, Trayce says. Join our linker program. He appeared in 27 games with the Dodgers but spent most of the season at Triple A. (Age 24-142d, As the youngest of three brothers myself, I was always fascinated by Trayce. 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. And its a trait that should only grow in importance this season, with Thompson likely to split time with left-handed-hitting David Peralta in a left-field platoon. Hes got a great work ethic and belief in himself and hes not going to give up. All the Under-$20 Style, Tech, and Home Goods We're Feeling This March, 35 Alarmingly Good Watch Deals to Upgrade Your Wrist, Fellas, You're About to Blow Your Rent Money at the SSENSE Sale, Brooklyn Nets Sharpshooter Yuta Watanabe Is Thriving on the NBA's Most Chaotic Team, The #1 Ranked NBA Snitch Ref Just Wants To Keep Hoops Honest. Hes earned some opportunities, so Im trying to get him in there when I can.. It was all in slow motion for him, though.\n\nI dont know if it was just because it was at the end of the game or whatever, but I didnt feel fast running for it, said Thompson. The Cubs acquired him from Arizona in May 2021 and he had a fantastic season at Triple-A Iowa. After bouncing between triple A and the big leagues in 2017, batting just .122 in 27 games, Thompson was designated for assignment by the team at the end of spring training the next year, claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees, then again by the Athletics two days later. He doesnt hesitate. And in what has since become his longest big-league stint since 2018, Trayce has flashed his trademark power its a small sample size, but his .523 slugging percentage is among the best on the team and coupled strong outfield defense with newfound consistency at the plate. Having Trayce comfortable, knowing his surroundings, I think that gave him the best chance to perform from the get-go, Roberts said. Thompson cleared waivers and elected free agency Saturday. Nobody knew what to expect when he returned. At the plate in the second, he launched the first pitch he saw from Rockies starter Chad Kuhl 430 feet to center. The minor-league baseball schedule offered Trayce Thompson a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate his brother Klays fourth NBA title in Boston on Thursday. (Mychel, the oldest, loved Griffey, so Trayce, three years younger, did too. Seeing his mental strength to go through all that and see the light at the end of the tunnel, its similar to what Ive had to go through, Trayce said. To get two rings. He spent six-plus seasons in the minors before reaching the majors. Trayce Thompson and his fiance Jillian quietly had a baby, and now we have some photographic evidence of the Baby Thompson. \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Hes made the most of his opportunity, with the most recent example coming in two consequential moments Friday. The Yankees claimed him April 3 and almost immediately waived him. Thompson, 31, the younger brother of four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, bouncing around nine organizations - including three stops alone this season - has. The youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers great Mychal Thompson, Trayce Thompsons early minor-league performance never quite matched the hype of his second-round pick (2009) status. As a result, Thompson rarely checks the schedule more than a few days ahead of time. 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational PGA DFS Targets: Is Rory McIlroy Too Chalky? It was a pretty low year for me personally.. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. He was traded to the Dodgers in June, filling the teams need for outfield defense and righthand hitting created by a string of injuries. Outfielder Trayce Thompson began playing in the Chicago White Sox system in 2009. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. Its not empty numbers, either, as Thompson has repeatedly come through in big situations. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Come on, Dave. Thompson continued to play well for the Dodgers, belting 13 homers and playing good defense for a team with World Series aspirations, until he fractured two vertebrae in his lower back in July 2016 and missed the rest of the season. [1] He committed to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. Man, he doesnt care, he says. Thompson also took extra time to weigh his decision, conscious that he is still jockeying for playing time in the Dodgers crowded outfield even if hes all but assured of breaking camp with the team. In 2009 combined, Thompson hit .198 in 106 at-bats. 20,976th in major league history) As he worked his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury that ended his 2019 Finals run, Klay Thompson tore his Achilles tendon in November 2020. It felt like he was back home. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. It's why the Dodgers outfielder has been watching old video of. Next months WBC will present another unique opportunity for Thompson, who was eligible to play for Team Britain because of his fathers heritage in the Bahamas a commonwealth nation still associated with the United Kingdom. Trayce is currently in the Chicago Cubs organization. Trayce Thompson had a .256 average last season and a .221 average over his career. But last week was the first time Trayce had the opportunity to attend one of his brothers championship celebrations. But to do it here, with a lot of guys I know, a lot of people Ive spent a lot of time with, I think the common theme is just special, he continued. So I feel like all the stars kind of lined up.. [3] In 2010, Thompson played the whole season for the Kannapolis Intimidators of the Class A South Atlantic League. Learned to be efficient with my packing.. It's nothing new. After Golden States Game 4 win at TD Garden on June 10, Trayce had a gut feeling he would be celebrating with his family the following Thursday. [10], Thompson was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on March 27, 2018. It would be awesome, man., Two week later, I ask Klay the same question. Coming up, you always think youre gonna be with one team, he conceded. 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