Trayce Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trayce Thompson |
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Thompson batting for the Padres in 2022
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| Boston Red Sox | |||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: March 15, 1991 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 4, 2015, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) |
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| Batting average | .212 | ||
| Home runs | 45 | ||
| Runs batted in | 126 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Trayce Nikolas Thompson (born March 15, 1991) is an American professional baseball player. He plays as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These include the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres.
Trayce comes from a famous sports family. His dad, Mychal Thompson, was a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His older brother, Klay Thompson, is also a well-known NBA player. Another older brother, Mychel Thompson, also played in the NBA.
Contents
Early Baseball Days
Trayce Thompson went to Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California. He was a talented baseball player there. He planned to play college baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox picked Trayce in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He decided to sign with them instead of going to UCLA. He started his professional journey in 2009 in the minor leagues. He played for teams like the Bristol White Sox and Great Falls Voyagers.
He slowly moved up through the White Sox's minor league system. He played for the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Winston-Salem Dash. By 2012, he had reached the Birmingham Barons (Double-A) and the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A).
Thompson made his big league debut with the White Sox on August 4, 2015. He hit his first home run in MLB on August 11, 2015.
Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers
In December 2015, Trayce was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made the Dodgers' main roster in 2016. He played in 80 games that year, hitting 13 home runs. However, he had to stop playing in July due to a back injury. X-rays showed he had fractures in his back, which ended his season early.
After recovering, he started the 2017 season in the minor leagues with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. He later joined the main Dodgers team for 27 games. In March 2018, the Dodgers decided to let him go.
Short Stints with Other Teams
Thompson was picked up by the New York Yankees in April 2018. Just two days later, the Oakland Athletics claimed him. He played only three games for the Athletics before they also let him go.
He then returned to the Chicago White Sox in April 2018. He played 48 games for them before becoming a free agent in November.
He later signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians in December 2018. He played for their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers, in 2019. He hit 24 home runs that season.
In 2020, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played only a few games for their Triple-A team in 2021.
Time with the Chicago Cubs
In May 2021, Thompson was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He played most of the season for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He hit 21 home runs for them. The Cubs called him up to the major leagues in September 2021. He played 15 games for them.
San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers
In March 2022, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He played a few games for their Triple-A team and then for the main Padres team. He was later released.
He then signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers in May 2022. He played well for their Triple-A team, the Toledo Mud Hens.
Back to the Los Angeles Dodgers (Again!)
In June 2022, Thompson was traded back to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He stayed on the Dodgers' main roster for the rest of the season. He played very well, hitting 13 home runs in 74 games.
In 2023, he agreed to a new contract with the Dodgers. On April 1, 2023, he had an amazing game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit three home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in eight runs! This was a record-setting game for him. However, he was placed on the injured list in June 2023 with a strained muscle in his side.
Another Return to the Chicago White Sox
On July 28, 2023, Thompson was traded back to the Chicago White Sox for a third time. He played 36 games for them after coming off the injured list. After the season, he became a free agent again.
Recent Teams
In December 2023, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. He played for their Triple-A team, the Syracuse Mets, hitting 16 home runs. He was released by the Mets in July 2024.
In July 2024, he signed another minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs again. After the season, he became a free agent.
Most recently, in February 2025, Thompson signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Playing for Great Britain
Trayce Thompson also plays baseball for the Great Britain national baseball team. He can do this because his father is from the Bahamas, which is part of the British Commonwealth.
In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he made history for Great Britain. He hit their first-ever home run in the tournament! This happened in their very first game against Team USA.
About Trayce's Life
Trayce was born in Los Angeles, California. He is the youngest son of Mychal Thompson, a former NBA player. His mother, Julie Thompson, played college volleyball. His dad, Mychal, also works in sports radio.
Both of his older brothers are basketball players. Mychel Thompson played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His brother Klay Thompson currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. Trayce is also good friends with fellow baseball player Nolan Arenado.
Trayce Thompson is a Catholic.
