Catching up with CF Trayce Thompson, 61st overall, Chicago White Sox, 2009
Posted By John Klima on June 11, 2009
(photo: Baseball Beginnings)
Trayce Thompson was a highly sought-after Southern California center fielder. He said that he was aware of the Mariners, Angels, Astros, Dodgers, Phillies, Rays, Cubs, Orioles and A’s interest. Thompson, who did workouts at Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium and Minute Maid Park, thought that the Angels were a likely fit because of the team’s reputation for taking high school players and for drafting in Southern California. The Angels have used their first pick on a Southern California high school player in three of the last four years, taking Trevor Bell in 2005, Hank Conger in 2006 and Tyler Chatwood in 2008.
“I initially thought that too,” Thompson said. “I’m not mad that they didn’t take me or anything like that, but there were two high school center fielders (Thompson and Jake Marisnick) they could have gone with. I sometimes wondered if one or both of us would end up there. It’s all worked out and I’m happy they considered me. I loved playing on Angels Elite. I can’t wait to get started with the White Sox. You can’t argue with the situation.”
Thompson said that he gradually became aware that the White Sox were on him. When he fell to the 61st overall pick, the White Sox pounced on a player whose above-average athletic ability and home run potential in center field project him to be a quality starter on a first-division team.
“The White Sox were really diligent with me,” said Thompson, who has a commitment to play college baseball at UCLA.
Read Trayce Thompson Q&A
Read Trayce Thompson report
Watch Trayce Thompson video
Watch Trayce Thompson video Part 2
Trayce Thompson Drafted by the Chicago White Sox
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