When the Los Angeles Dodgers reported for Spring Training this year they once again had a glut of outfielders. However, the picture was largely settled, with Joc Pederson expected to start in center field and Yasiel Puig in right.
By early March, rookie manager Dave Roberts declared Andre Ethier the starter in left field ahead of Carl Crawford, among others. Ethier was also named as an option to bat leadoff this season, but sustained a fractured right tibia and has yet to come off the disabled list,much less be cleared for baseball activities.
Ethier’s injury created an opportunity for Trayce Thompson, and the 25-year-old versatile outfielder has more than made the most of it. While Thompson was playing his way into the lineup, Roberts wasn’t ready to name him an everyday starter.
“We’re not there yet, but he’s doing great things,” Roberts May 17. “The great thing about him is, when his name is in the lineup, he’s prepared.”
Fast forward three weeks and Roberts has changed his stance in light of Thompson’s continued strong play, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
Roberts said Trayce Thompson has played himself into everyday status. Thompson could play LF, Puig RF.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 11, 2016
It was widely presumed the Dodgers’ decision to designate Carl Crawford for assignment was in part due to Thompson’s emergence. Entering play on Sunday, Thompson’s time across the three outfield positions has been evenly split.
He’s played 19 games in right field, 18 in left and 17 in center. Since Yasiel Puig landed on the disabled list, the majority of Thompson’s playing time has come in right field. He leads the Dodgers in slugging percentage (.546), on-base plus slugging (.905), wRC+ (145) and wOBA (.382).
What’s more, Thompson ranks second on the team with 10 home runs, and fourth with 22 RBIs.
