Trayce Thompson hoping to make name for himself with Chicago White Sox

The White Sox called up Trayce Thompson from Class AAA Charlotte before Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving the outfielder his first shot in the majors.

Thompson, a second-round draft pick by the White Sox in 2009, has hit .260 with 13 home runs, 4 triples, 23 doubles and 39 RBI in 104 games this year.

"It's been kind of surreal, kind of crazy," he said. "I've been in shock these last few days. But I'm here now. And I'm trying to go play baseball, that's it. It's the same game, just a different place."

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound outfielder is rated the No. 15 prospect in the White Sox system, according to MLB.com. He took the roster spot of right-handed pitcher Scott Carroll, who was optioned to Charlotte after Sunday's game.

Thompson said he is hoping to keep his tactics simple, focusing on hitting the fastball and being aggressive at the plate.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he hopes to get Thompson a start during the series. Ventura added that Thompson has worked hard this season, calling him "an athletic kid and a smart baseball player."

"With (J.B. Shuck) going down, we kept (Carroll) an extra day and that seemed to work out yesterday when we needed him," Ventura said. "But we need that extra outfielder and Trayce was playing the best at that time."

Shuck was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a left-hamstring strain.

Thompson hails from Los Angeles and is the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson. Brother Klay Thompson plays for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors and brother Mychel used to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Over the weekend, both of his brothers tweeted that Trayce had been promoted to the White Sox without his knowledge. Since then, the tweets have been deleted.

"I don't have social media or anything, so it didn't even cross my mind to let them know to kind of keep their mouths shut," Thompson said. "I really didn't even tell them. I called my dad, and my dad has a fat mouth, so he told them. And then they're probably the two worst people to get it out to because they have so many followers and stuff."

Still, distractions aside, Thompson said his priority is helping the White Sox maximize their potential this season.

"These guys are really close to that wild-card spot and I just want to help them make the playoffs," Thompson said. "That's what it's all about. Hopefully I can do that and hopefully I can make an impression."