Trayce Thompson is a professional baseball player who has played for several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams since making his debut in 2015. He is known for his athletic abilities and has been praised for his defensive skills as an outfielder.
In baseball, defense is a crucial aspect of the game, and a player’s fielding abilities can often make the difference between winning and losing. In this blog post, we will assess Trayce Thompson’s fielding abilities and evaluate whether he is a good fielder or not.
We will analyze his statistics, technique, and form, as well as compare him to other outfielders in the league. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of Trayce Thompson’s strengths and weaknesses as a fielder.
Trayce Thompson’s Defensive Statistics
Trayce Thompson has played primarily as a center and right fielder throughout his career. Here is an overview of his career defensive statistics:
Fielding Percentage: .986
Range Factor per 9 Innings: 2.58
Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR): -3.3
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS): -6
Compared to league averages, Thompson’s fielding percentage is slightly above average, with the league average for outfielders sitting at .984. His range factor per 9 innings is also relatively average compared to other outfielders in the league.
However, his UZR and DRS are both below average, indicating that he has not been as effective at preventing runs as other outfielders in the league.
It’s important to note that defensive statistics can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as a player’s positioning, the types of batted balls they see, and the defensive capabilities of their teammates.
Nonetheless, these statistics provide a useful starting point for evaluating Trayce Thompson’s fielding abilities.
Assessing Trayce Thompson’s Fielding Skills
Trayce Thompson’s fielding skills can be evaluated by analyzing his technique and form, range and speed, and throwing arm and accuracy.
Technique and form: Thompson is known for his solid fundamentals and sound technique in the outfield. He takes efficient routes to the ball and uses good footwork to position himself for catches.
He also has a quick release when throwing the ball, which helps him make accurate throws to the infield.
Range and speed: Thompson has above-average speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. His range is particularly strong in center field, where he has made several impressive plays tracking down balls hit deep into the gap.
He is also capable of making diving catches and leaping grabs at the wall, showcasing his athleticism and ability to make highlight-reel plays.
Throwing arm and accuracy: Thompson has a strong throwing arm, which he uses to make accurate throws to the infield.
His arm strength allows him to make plays on balls hit to deep outfield positions, as he is able to quickly get the ball back to the infield with velocity and accuracy. Overall, his arm strength and accuracy are considered above-average for an outfielder.
It’s worth noting that while Thompson’s defensive abilities are generally considered strong, he has had some struggles with injuries throughout his career, which have limited his playing time and potentially impacted his performance in the outfield.
Additionally, while his speed and range are above-average, he may not have the same elite-level defensive skills as some other outfielders in the league. Nonetheless, he is still considered a solid defensive player with a reliable set of skills in the outfield.
Praise and Criticism of Trayce Thompson’s Fielding
Praise
Trayce Thompson has received praise from coaches and analysts for his defensive abilities throughout his career. In 2018, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Thompson for his versatility and defensive skills, stating that “He’s an elite defender.
He can play all three outfield positions, and he’s going to get a lot of at-bats.” Similarly, former MLB player and current analyst Eduardo Perez has praised Thompson’s defensive abilities, stating that “He has great instincts, he takes good angles, he’s a very good defender.”
Criticism
Despite receiving praise for his fielding abilities, Trayce Thompson has also faced criticism and areas of improvement in his performance. One area of critique is his consistency, as he has had some stretches of play where his defensive performance has been inconsistent.
Additionally, some analysts have noted that his UZR and DRS statistics are below average, indicating that he may not be as effective at preventing runs as other outfielders in the league.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, Thompson has had some struggles with injuries throughout his career, which have limited his playing time and potentially impacted his performance in the outfield.
Overall, while Thompson has been praised for his defensive skills, he still has areas of improvement to work on in order to become a more consistent and effective defensive player.
Comparison to Other Outfielders
When compared to other outfielders in the league, Trayce Thompson’s defensive skills and statistics are generally considered to be average to slightly above-average. Here are some examples of how he stacks up against the competition:
Compared to other center fielders, Thompson’s range factor per 9 innings is slightly above average, but his UZR and DRS statistics are below average. He also has a slightly lower fielding percentage than the league average for center fielders.
Compared to other right fielders, Thompson’s range factor per 9 innings is also slightly above average, but his UZR and DRS statistics are below average. His fielding percentage, however, is slightly above average for right fielders.
Overall, while Thompson may not be among the elite-level defensive players at his position, he still has a solid set of skills that make him a reliable outfielder.
It’s worth noting that defensive statistics can be influenced by a variety of factors, and that some players may have more or less playing time than others, which can impact their statistics.
Nonetheless, based on the available data and observations of his play, Thompson appears to be a solid but not exceptional defender.
Trayce Thompson’s Career Defensive Statistics (2015-2019)
| Position | Innings Played | Total Chances | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Fielding % | Range Factor/9 | UZR | DRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF | 1102.2 | 226 | 211 | 8 | 7 | .971 | 2.61 | -6.3 | -3 |
| RF | 1087.0 | 215 | 197 | 11 | 7 | .966 | 2.14 | -7.2 | -6 |
Note: UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) and DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) are advanced metrics used to evaluate a player’s overall defensive contribution. A negative UZR or DRS value indicates below-average performance, while a positive value indicates above-average performance.
FAQs
What are some examples of Trayce Thompson’s most impressive defensive plays?
There have been several notable defensive plays throughout Thompson’s career, including a diving catch in center field against the San Francisco Giants in 2016, and a leaping catch at the wall in right field against the Detroit Tigers in 2018.
How does Trayce Thompson’s defensive performance compare to his offensive performance?
While Thompson has demonstrated solid defensive skills throughout his career, his offensive performance has been more inconsistent. He has shown flashes of power and plate discipline, but has also struggled with strikeouts and consistency at the plate.
Has Trayce Thompson won any defensive awards or honors?
To date, Thompson has not won any major awards or honors specifically for his defensive performance. However, he has been recognized by coaches and analysts for his defensive abilities and versatility in the outfield.
How has Trayce Thompson’s fielding been impacted by his injuries?
Thompson has had several injuries throughout his career, including a stress fracture in his back and a wrist injury. While these injuries have limited his playing time, it’s unclear how much they have impacted his defensive performance specifically. Nonetheless, staying healthy and avoiding injuries will likely be an important factor in his ability to continue developing as a fielder.
What are some areas of improvement for Trayce Thompson as a fielder?
While Thompson has demonstrated solid defensive skills, he still has areas of improvement to work on, such as consistency in his play and improving his UZR and DRS statistics. Additionally, improving his offensive performance may also be important for his overall value as a player.
Conclusion
Trayce Thompson has demonstrated solid defensive skills throughout his career as an outfielder. He has received praise from coaches and analysts for his technique, range, and throwing arm, and has generally been considered an above-average defender at his position.
However, he has also faced criticism for inconsistencies in his play and statistics that are below average in certain areas.
When compared to other outfielders in the league, he appears to be a solid but not elite-level defender. Nonetheless, his defensive abilities make him a valuable asset to any team, and he has the potential to continue to improve and develop as a player in the years to come.
