White Sox Trayce Thompson taking his best shot - on baseball field

There was quite a buzz at U.S. Cellular Field last Monday when Trayce Thompson came up from Class AAA Charlotte and prepared to make his major-league debut with the Chicago White Sox.

Unfortunately for Thompson, he wasn't the complete center of attention.

That distinction went to Klay Thompson, Trayce's famous older brother best known for being a high-scoring guard for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

Also on hand from the Thompson family were father Mychal and brother Mychel, who also played in the NBA.

Trayce Thompson was hardly complaining about sharing the spotlight.

"They're so proud, and I couldn't be here without them," he said. "They played with me growing up. Even last fall, during the World Series, being in San Francisco, we went and played whiffle ball. They still love the game, so it's been a lot of fun."

Trayce Thompson definitely has basketball in his blood, but his decision to stick with baseball is starting to pay off.

The Sox' second-round draft pick in 2009, Thompson came right out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California and jumped into minor-league baseball.

There were predictable growing pains, but the 24-year-old outfielder made some impressive strides this season while batting .260 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 104 games with Charlotte.

"He played in (Double-A) Birmingham the past two seasons where he was up and down with his approach," said Del Matthews, the White Sox' assistant director of player development and scouting. "Birmingham is one of the more pitcher friendly minor-league ballparks and now in Charlotte, an offensive ballpark, his approach was more consistent and he was driving the ball very well. He seems to really be coming into his own.

"His defense has always kind of been ahead of his offense and now with the consistency in his offense, he's developing into a complete player."

Thompson came up from the minors to replace reserve outfielder J.B. Shuck, who is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

When Adam Eaton had to leave Friday's game at Kansas City with a jammed left shoulder, Thompson entered the game and played center field.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder got his first major-league hit against the Royals with an infield single in the sixth inning. In the eighth, Thompson doubled.

He's off to a promising start, but Thompson realizes he has much more to accomplish if he hopes to stick with the Sox.

"I think I just got back to what makes me myself this year," Thompson said. "When I was in A ball, I could do a lot of things, and I was hitting the fastball and I was doing my thing, helping the team in a lot of ways. I kind of got away from that in Double-A. Harold Baines and Jim Thome helped me in spring training, getting back on fastballs.

"I feel like I'm doing a better job of that this year. Being a little more aggressive has helped me with that, too. I just try to keep it as simple as possible."

And Thompson also enjoys having a famous fan club.

"Trayce is just a fine young man, really respectful," said his father Mychal, who played 13 seasons in the NBA. "Respects everybody. Appreciates the opportunity that he has. He realizes he's going to take advantage of it and make the most of it. He's such a good kid who likes to give back to kids. If he sticks around, and hopefully he will for a long time, you'll see how accommodating he is to everybody."