Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Tracye Thompson emerged as one of the team’s best hitters in 2016 before going down with a back injury that cost him the entire second half of the season.
Thompson’s main goal going into Spring Training in 2017 was proving that he is completely healthy and could return to his pre-injury form.
He was able to prove his health but wound up beginning the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City due to the Dodgers depth ahead of him. Thompson got off to a rough start to the season with OKC, going 0-for-26 in his first 10 games and 3-for-65 in his first 20 games.
Thompson was called up for a short span in April and went 0-for-8 in three games before being sent down. He was called up again at the end of June and remained with the team for a month before being optioned back down to Triple-A, where he remained until September.
Overall in 95 games with OKC, Thompson slashed .212/.269/.363 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs, which is a disappointing season for the 26-year-old.
He did not fare much better in the big leagues, as in 27 games he hit .122/.218/.265 with a home run and two RBIs.
Thomspon received very little playing time when he was called back up in September and wasn’t among the players being considered to make the postseason roster.
2017 Highlight:
Thompson’s lone big league home run of the season came on June 28 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. With his team trailing 2-0 in the eighth inning, Thompson took Angels reliever Keynan Middleton deep to bring his team within one, although the Dodgers ended up losing the game 3-2.
2018 Outlook:
Thompson is out of options, so if he is going to remain in the organization then he must be on the 2018 Opening Day 25-man roster. Barring any significant changes, that seems unlikely after his 2017 campaign so the front office will likely look to trade him this offseason.
What they can get for him is unknown, but if they don’t trade him then they risk losing him for nothing unless he proves that he can return to his 2016 form.
