HUGE BOOST: Cubs Sign Brother Of NBA Star to huge League Deal
The Chicago Cubs have signed Trayce Thompson, brother of Mavericks star Klay Thompson, to a minor league contract. This marks Thompson’s second tenure with the Cubs, having played 15 games for them in 2021.
Earlier this month, the Mets released Thompson after he hit .228/.300/.500 over 62 games with Triple-A Syracuse. Although the Cubs did not officially announce the signing, it appears in their transaction log. Thompson made his debut for Chicago’s Triple-A team in Des Moines last night, going 1-for-4 and scoring twice.
Cubs Sign Trayce Thompson To Minor League Deal
Ironically, Trayce Thompson, a former second-round pick, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2009. He spent seven seasons in the minors before making his MLB debut in 2015. The now 33-year-old outfielder played 44 games for the Sox in 2015, hitting .295/.363/.533 with five home runs. He was later traded to the Dodgers in a three-team deal that sent infielder Todd Frazier to the White Sox.
Thompson has since played for five different organizations before joining the Cubs in 2021. In 2023, he returned to the White Sox, batting just .171/.261/.232 over 36 games. Although he has never been a regular in the majors, Thompson has accrued over four years of service time across parts of seven MLB seasons. He has long been known for his impressive raw power and, earlier in his career, plus speed. Statcast rated his speed as average over 72 games split between the Dodgers and the White Sox last season.
Thompson will provide much-needed depth for the Cubs. Shortly after signing with them last night, outfielder Cody Bellinger exited Chicago’s game against the Orioles after being hit on the hand by Baltimore’s Cionel Pérez. While the extent of Bellinger’s injury is unclear, he mentioned postgame that he could not throw a ball. If Bellinger misses time, Chicago might call up outfield prospect Alexander Canario or Thompson to replace him.
What Thompson Brings To Cubs
Regardless of what the immediate future holds for Trayce Thompson, the veteran outfielder provides the Cubs with an experienced depth option who has already hit 16 home runs this year. With a batting line of .237/.307/.465 across parts of seven Triple-A seasons, Thompson appears on track for his fifth professional season with 20 or more home runs.