The Los Angeles Dodgers added to their stockpile of outfielders during the winter as they acquired Trayce Thompson, plus Micah Johnson and Frankie Montas, from the Chicago White Sox in a three-team trade that also involved the Cincinnati Reds.
Los Angeles opened camp with eight outfielders on their 25-man roster, when including Kiké Hernandez in the discussion. Thompson batted .260 with 13 home runs in Triple-A Charlotte last season.
After being called up by the White Sox in August, he hit .295/.363/.533 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 135 plate appearances over 44 games.
Thompson faces an uphill battle to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, particularly with manager Dave Roberts endorsing Andre Ethier to start in left field and Joc Pederson in center.
Yasiel Puig is of course the presumed starter in right field. The Dodgers have nonetheless given Thompson plenty of opportunities to play all three outfielder positions throughout Spring Training.
He was in center field on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers, and helped the Dodgers extend their lead with a three-run home run in the second inning:
The Dodgers went on to score another run and defeated the Brewers, 6-2. Thompson is batting .226/.273/.516 (7-for-31) with two home runs, one triple and seven RBIs in 12 Spring Training games with the Dodgers.
