PORT ST. LUCIE – Trayce Thompson doesn’t mind.
The Mets’ new outfielder understands that wherever he goes — which is finite for a 32-year-old who has spent time with five different teams over seven major league seasons — he will be known as Klay Thompson’s brother.
“I’m proud,” Trayce said Saturday about being the Warriors star’s younger brother. “I understand his status in the sports world, but… I am his number one fan, me and our big brother Mychy [Mychel]. Everything I wanted him to accomplish in life, he accomplished. I’m proud to be Klay Thompson’s brother. I don’t even think of him as Klay Thompson – he’s my brother Klay.
Trayce Thompson, who is trying to make the Mets one of their outfielders, is the brother of Warriors star Klay Thompson. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
“I’m extremely proud, so it doesn’t bother me.”
Fittingly, Klay Thompson’s brother (and Mychal Thompson’s son) has a chance with the Mets.
Trayce, in major league camp as part of a minor league pact, said the Mets were the first team to target him this offseason.
Klay Thompson celebrates after scoring a 3 point earlier in the season. Getty Images
Thompson can play all three outfield spots — and started in center field in Saturday’s 10-5 loss to the Cardinals at Clover Park, where he went 0-for-2 — and has a mixed history at the plate .
Thompson, who played basketball in high school but said baseball was always his love, hadn’t hit consistently until a breakout season in 2022, when he posted an .860 OPS ( including 13 home runs) in 80 games mainly with the Dodgers.
Trayce Thompson takes batting practice before the Mets’ spring training game against the Cardinals. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
He couldn’t replicate the numbers a season later, when he struggled (.677 OPS in 36 games) before a strained oblique forced him to the IL in June. By the time he got healthy, he had been traded to the White Sox, with whom he has yet to hit much.
When asked about his poor season, Thompson cited several possible factors, including a “weird” spring training in which he played in the World Baseball Classic with Great Britain, as well as receiving limited at-bats. against righties, against whom the right-handed hitter plays uniquely. better. He didn’t blame his struggles on his injuries, although he did have to undergo “minor” ankle surgery in November.
Thompson projects minor league depth for an outfield that could use it. There are injury concerns with Harrison Bader and Starling Marte, with Brandon Nimmo and Tyrone Taylor likely rounding out the major league roster.
Thompson, who has solid power, said the Mets’ initial goal in hitting was to improve his contact rate. Thompson’s strikeouts — 77 in 179 plate appearances — skyrocketed last season.
“When I’m [making contact] At a rate close to league average, I’m a pretty good player,” Thompson said. “Now how we get there will always be something we can work on.” … Because when I make contact, I make quality contact. And so if you could increase that a little bit, it could pay big dividends.
2024-02-25 02:31:03
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