Thompson motivated to be even better for Chicago White Sox in 2016
Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is facing yet another challenging off-season, another round of difficult decisions.
Trayce Thompson's name is undoubtedly on Hahn's list, but he is actually a pleasant problem.
When the 2016 roster is assembled, Thompson is going to be on it. The rookie outfielder also deserves to be in the starting lineup.
Since arriving from Class AAA Charlotte on Aug. 3, Thompson has impressed the Sox with his bat, wowed then with his defense and quickly established himself as the premier athlete on the roster.
"I didn't know what to expect," Thompson said of initially joining the White Sox. "I just wanted to make the most of my opportunity when I did get my chance to play."
The right-handed Thompson has hit the ball with authority, even against right-handed pitching.
Against the Royals on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, the 24-year-old Thompson batted cleanup for the fourth straight game.
"It's probably putting something on him, seeing what he can do with it," manager Robin Ventura said. "There are different pressures when you're batting that high in the lineup. I want to see that, see how he reacts to it."
Thompson has reacted very well with the bat, hitting .295 with 5 home runs and 15 RBI heading into the Sox' game against Kansas City.
In Tuesday's win over the Royals, Thompson made a highlight catch in left field, diving to take an extra-base hit away from Ben Zobrist.
"Unbelievable," said Jeff Samardzija, who started the game for the White Sox. "I've seen some good catches before, been a part of a couple here and there, and that was one of the coolest ones I've seen in awhile. He closed a big gap on the ball and sold out for it."
While he is exiting the Sox at the end of the season, Samardzija said Thompson is going to a big part of their future.
"That guy needs to be in the lineup," Samardzija said. "I think he's proven here in the last few weeks that he's going to be there and be there for a while."
With the regular season wrapping up Sunday, Thompson already has an eye on 2016.
"This is a big off-season for me," said Thompson, who is steadily emerging from the shadow of his older brother Klay, a star guard for the Golden State Warriors. "I thought last off-season was probably the biggest off-season of my career as far as kind of time to put up or shut up, but these past two months have kind of validated to me that I can play up here and this off-season, I'm going to get after it like I've never worked.
"I've prided myself on my work in the off-season, but this is very motivating to me. Being up here these last two months has been very motivating to me. I'm going to definitely take it to the off-season and bust my tail and get after it and really come back to spring training and try to make an impression."