The Cubs signed veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor league contract yesterday afternoon. Whereas the staff by no means made a proper announcement, the Wasserman consumer’s signing is mirrored on the staff’s transaction log at MLB.com, and Thompson already suited up with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines final evening, going 1-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Thompson, 33, was reduce free by the Mets earlier this month after spending 62 video games with their Triple-A membership in Syracuse. The previous second-rounder hit .228/.300/.500 in 253 plate appearances throughout his stint with the Mets group. He’ll now return to the Cubs for a second stint; Thompson was additionally with the Cubs in 2021, ripping 21 homers in 88 video games with Iowa and in addition showing in 15 massive league video games as a Cub.
Although he’s by no means been an everyday within the majors, Thompson has accrued greater than 4 years of service time scattered throughout components of seven MLB campaigns. In 369 video games and 1058 plate appearances between the White Sox, Dodgers, A’s and Padres, Thompson carries a .212/.300/.411 batting line. He’s walked in a hefty 10.9% of his profession plate appearances but additionally fanned at an untenable 32.7% fee. He’s lengthy had spectacular uncooked energy and earlier in his profession additionally boasted plus velocity, although Statcast measured him as common in that regard final season in 72 video games cut up between the Dodgers and ChiSox.
Thompson provides the Cubs some depth throughout all three slots within the outfield. His capacity to play anyplace within the outfield took on additional significance simply hours after signing with the Cubs, as Cody Bellinger exited final evening’s sport in opposition to the Orioles after being plunked on the hand by a 97 mph heater from Baltimore lefty Cionel Perez. It’s not clear but whether or not there’s a fracture or sufficient swelling that Bellinger would require a keep on the 10-day injured checklist, however Bellinger famous following the sport final evening that he needed to depart as a result of he wasn’t capable of throw a ball.
Even within the occasion of a Bellinger absence, the Cubs might go along with outfield prospect Alexander Canario to take his spot on the large league roster. Regardless of the fast future holds, Thompson provides the Cubs an skilled depth possibility who’s posted a .237/.307/.465 batting line in components of seven Triple-A seasons and who, with 16 lengthy balls already within the books this 12 months, seems to be effectively on his strategy to his fifth skilled season with 20-plus homers.
