That's a nice comparison. I like Thompson.

Thompson starts the 2013 season in AA Birmingham. He hit a solo homer on Opening Day.

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2013/...-no-1-priority/

If he were a year older, wouldnt his glove and diminishing youth make him an all-out candidate to make the team? Question for those who know him inside & out.........is the defense easily MLB 4th OF quality if (worst case scenario) that's all he ends up offering as a top tool

If he were a year older, wouldnt his glove and diminishing youth make him an all-out candidate to make the team? Question for those who know him inside & out.........is the defense easily MLB 4th OF quality if (worst case scenario) that's all he ends up offering as a top tool

Defensively, all indications are he's MLB-ready right now for all three positions. The issue isn't that he needs to be a year older - it's that his hit tool needs to translate into better contact/average numbers, particularly at AAA, before they feel like he has a chance offensively. The power is there, the speed, the defense... but he might also be Joe Borchard. This year will tell us a lot.

 

Defensively, all indications are he's MLB-ready right now for all three positions. The issue isn't that he needs to be a year older - it's that his hit tool needs to translate into better contact/average numbers, particularly at AAA, before they feel like he has a chance offensively. The power is there, the speed, the defense... but he might also be Joe Borchard. This year will tell us a lot.

 

Well not that he has to be a year older, but that 24 is still a play-everyday age whereas 25 gets you more into the conversation of being a Jordan Danks 4th-ish guy. And definitely by 26.

Defensively, all indications are he's MLB-ready right now for all three positions. The issue isn't that he needs to be a year older - it's that his hit tool needs to translate into better contact/average numbers, particularly at AAA, before they feel like he has a chance offensively. The power is there, the speed, the defense... but he might also be Joe Borchard. This year will tell us a lot.

 

LTP, without the LT.

LTP, without the LT.

 

Incorrect, sir. The LTP is definitely there.

 

http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?sid=t494

Up with the Sox August 3rd.

 

Hitting fairly well as a second backup OF on the roster.

Performing well as a spot OF.

 

As of Sept 28:

 

(.294) 102 AB 15 R 30 H 8 2B 2 3B 5 HR 15 RBI 9 BB 23 K 1 SB .351 OBP /.559 SLG

I think there is a solid chance that Thompson ends up being a late bloomer. His weakness has always been his ability to make contact, but yet he has lowered his K% every year except for last year. In over 100 AB's in the ML, his K% is at a very respectable 20%, while maintaining a 10% BB rate. All in all, sound improvement in plate discipline for a great athlete. Hopefully he puts it all together next year at the big league level.

Traded to Dodgers in a three way deal for 3B Todd Frazier.

 

Closed.