APPALACHIAN LEAGUE: Trayce Thompson Arrives In Bristol, Readies For Pro Debut

BY JOSH FLOYD
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
BRISTOL, Va. – Most cross-country journeys are measured in hours by plane, days by vehicle and even months for those rare runners strong enough to pursue admirable causes.

For Trayce Thompson, a second-round draft choice of the Chicago White Sox back in June, the end of his nearly year-long trek is instead a long-awaited beginning.

That journey, which started productively last fall with his commitment to UCLA, now has Thompson getting ready to swing lumber with Bristol after reaching a deal Tuesday afternoon.

The lanky, yet eager Thompson – son of former NBA power forward/center Mychal Thompson – certainly hopes to make a resounding statement in the talent-rich Appalachian League.

“I’m just so happy to get out here,” said Thompson, 18, the 61st overall pick in this year’s MLB draft, whose contract included a $625,000 bonus. “I’ve waited so long. And finally to get out here … it’s just a great feeling for me personally.”

Mother Nature, meanwhile, made the biggest statement Tuesday, as the opener of a three-game series between Greeneville (16-18) and host Bristol (14-20) was halted due to dangerous lightning and torrential rains. The West Division foes hope to play two games today, including the conclusion of Tuesday’s game, in which Bristol led 1-0 midway through the fourth.

However, poor weather conditions couldn’t take away the smile from Thompson, who arrived in the Tri-Cities just a couple of hours before David Holmberg’s first pitch. After meeting with several officials at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field Tuesday morning, Thompson first boarded a flight for Atlanta, before making the northeast transfer towards Appalachian League country.

Without question, the closing of the contract was a major relief to Thompson, who toiled away for nearly seven weeks between draft choice selection – and an eventual signature.

“The days seemed to get longer,” admitted Thompson, who batted .463 with nine homers for Santa Margarita High School (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) this past spring. “About two weeks ago, I got word from my agent that [my contract] should be coming up pretty soon. It’s just a great feeling.”

While his father – the first pick in the 1978 NBA Draft – put forth a combined 13 seasons with Portland and San Antonio, along with two championships while a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the baseball-minded Thompson stayed true to his sport.

With older brothers Mychel (Pepperdine) and Klay (Washington State) continuing the basketball tradition at the collegiate level, Thompson never felt pressured to pursue hoops – despite helping Santa Margarita win a state championship his junior year.

“He let me choose my own path, that being baseball,” said Thompson of his father’s open-minded approach. “He’s given me great advice and supported me so much.”

Thompson will have plenty of support from a Bristol outfield contingent that sports two of the Appy League’s top hitters. Brady Shoemaker (.415, 44 hits, 22 RBIs), who sports a 28-game hitting streak, and Ryan Lee (.299, 38 hits, 15 SBs) have both been shredding opposing pitching.

“When you see guys hitting like that here, it’s a great thing,” Thompson added. “You can learn so much.”

The addition of Thompson to an already deep outfield could have BriSox manager Ryan Newman possibly foreshadowing even greater dividends during the final 34 games.

“From my understanding, he’s a great athlete,” Newman said. “We’re going to give him a week and let him get his feet wet here – and take our time with him. He’s going to be able to swing the bat for us and play the outfield. It’s very exciting.”

SOX NOTES: The Astros and the Sox will pick up their suspended game, weather permitting, today at 6 p.m., followed by a second contest … Bristol’s Jose Fulgencio accounted for the only run, coming around to score after his one-out single in the third … Holmberg, meanwhile, had allowed just two hits through four frames.