In search of a right-handed hitting outfielder while Mookie Betts was on the 10-day injured list due to a right rib fracture, the Los Angeles Dodgers reunited with Trayce Thompson by acquiring him in a trade with the Detroit Tigers.
Thompson has had multiple highlights in his second stint with the club, including recently hitting two doubles against the San Diego Padres. The 31-year-old doubled off Snell in the fourth inning and then added another one against Tim Hill in the bottom of the eighth.
“I think that’s what I’m supposed to do,” Thompson said after the game. “I’m a big, athletic guy. Singles are great, but I’m a guy that’s supposed to drive the ball.
“Not trying to do too much, that’s the product of that. I just go out there and try to hit the ball hard and hope for the best. I feel like that’s always been part of my game.
“Honestly, talking to Freddie has helped me a lot because he’s a guy that’s such a good hitter but he’s also a big guy that can hit the ball really hard. So just watching him and talking to him has helped me out a lot.”
Thompson noted he hasn’t made any specific changes from his conversations with Freddie Freeman, but simply tries to emulate his approach at the plate. “I think it’s just kind of reassured some stuff that I knew as a hitter,” Thompson began.
“I’ve had plenty of guys (help me). Howie when he was here, Adrian when he was here. Some guys that have done amazing things for a long time, Freddie is cut from that same cloth as far as being a hitter first and then a slugger.
“I’ve always been the opposite, so I feel at times if I can flip that mindset, the results are really good.”
Since being acquired by the Dodgers last month, Thompson is hitting .321/.345/.536 with three doubles, one home run and five RBI in 10 games. That’s a vast improvement from his brief stint with the Padres earlier this year, when he went just 1-for-14.
Thompson focused on having ‘fun’ & contributing in any role with Dodgers
Whether it comes in the form of starts or pinch-hit appearances, Thompson said he is focused on having fun with the Dodgers and contributing in any role.
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