Through 39 games this season, Thompson has played in 30 and logged 77 plate appearances. He’s batting .292/.338/.611 with five doubles, six home runs, 14 RBIs, a .401 wOBA and 153 wRC+. Thompson is tied with Joc Pederson and Corey Seager for the team lead in home runs.
Thompson recently hit his first career pinch-hit walk-off home run against the New York Mets, and drew praise from his teammates and manager Dave Roberts. Seager marveled at Thompson’s cool demeanor, while Roberts noted the versatile outfielder made adjustments at the plate that are beginning to pay off.
Then on Monday, Thompson put together his first career multi-home run game. So why isn’t he playing more? The principle reason is the dreaded analytics, which factors heavily into how the Dodgers operate on and off the field. Thompson bats and throws right handed.
“Conventional wisdom” is that right-handers don’t always fare as well as left-handed batters against right-handed pitching. Thus, Thompson is largely platooning with Pederson in center field, though Roberts is adamant a platoon does not exist.
Thompson played all three outfield positions during the Dodgers’ recent road trip. But what will happen when Ethier, Guerrero and/or Van Slyke are ready to return from the DL? Thompson’s footing is far from stable.
If the Dodgers are wise, however, they will take this time to let Thompson play every day to showcase what he can do. That would allow for Thompson to continue growing and gain more experience, laying the building blocks for another of the Dodgers’ young, long-term pieces.
