Watch: Trayce Thompson’s Jaw-Dropping Home-Run Robbery Sparks Great Britain’s Upset at 2026 WBC

Veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson is getting another shot at the majors after signing a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training, the club announced February 17, 2025. The 33-year-old right-handed hitter will report to Fort Myers hoping to earn a bench spot and supply much-needed pop against left-handed pitching. Thompson’s addition deepens a crowded outfield picture that already features Tyler O’Neill, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and rookie Ceddanne Rafaela. Boston’s front office values Thompson’s elite defensive metrics in all three outfield spots and his .804 OPS versus southpaws over parts of eight MLB seasons, a skill set that could complement the club’s lefty-heavy lineup. If he doesn’t break camp with the big-league team, Thompson would open the year at Triple-A Worcester as experienced depth. Best known to casual fans as the younger brother of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, Trayce has carved out his own résumé since the Chicago White Sox drafted him in 2009. He flashed 2.3 bWAR as a rookie with the Dodgers in 2016, but injuries and swing inconsistencies led to a journeyman path that included stints with the A’s, Cubs, Padres and Guardians. A resurgent 2022 return to Los Angeles saw him post a .901 OPS in 80 games, reminding clubs of his upside when healthy. For the Red Sox, the signing is a classic low-risk, high-reward flier. A strong spring could allow Thompson to seize the short-side platoon role vacated when Adam Duvall departed in free agency. Boston also lacked outfielders with minor-league options, so Thompson’s flexibility to shuttle between Worcester and Fenway provides roster insurance across the 162-game grind. Beyond on-field contributions, coaches rave about Thompson’s clubhouse presence and work ethic—attributes that matter for a Red Sox team integrating several young position players. His basketball pedigree has always drawn attention, yet teammates note that it fuels his competitiveness rather than overshadowing his baseball identity. Spring training storylines move quickly, but Thompson’s quest for an MLB comeback in Boston checks every box for fan intrigue: veteran perseverance, a famous surname and a clear path to meaningful at-bats if he performs. With roster decisions looming by late March, keep an eye on Trayce Thompson—his next long ball over JetBlue Park’s replica Green Monster could punch a ticket back to the majors and give the Red Sox lineup the right-handed thump it needs.