The Rangers announced they’ve designated outfielder Bubba Thompson for assignment. The move opens room on the 40-man for J.P. Martínez, who was officially selected onto the big league roster. Travis Jankowski was placed on the paternity list to clear an active roster spot for Martínez.
A former first-round pick, Thompson reached the majors last August after five minor league campaigns. An elite runner, Thompson had stolen 49 bases and was caught just thrice for Triple-A Round Rock last season. He hit .265 and stole 18 more bags in 55 big league contests down the stretch, though that came with a modest .302 on-base percentage and well below-average .312 slugging mark.
Last year’s decent batting average was built on a massive .389 average on balls in play, as Thompson struck out at an alarming 30.9% clip. As one of the league’s fastest players, he’s likely to run a BABIP higher than the .297 league average. Yet hitting nearly .400 on balls in play consistently is a tall task for anyone.
Likely anticipating some regression in his offensive production, Texas signed Robbie Grossman to take primary left field duties. Jankowski has been very good in a fourth outfield role, leaving Thompson to tally only 60 MLB plate appearances over 37 games. He struggled to a .170/.237/.283 line in that scattershot playing time. While he improved his strikeout and walk numbers marginally, Thompson only made contact on 61.5% of his swings — a rate topped by every qualified hitter around the league.
Thompson’s production in Triple-A has also taken a step back. Despite carrying solid walk and strikeout marks at the top minor league level, he’s hitting .260/.362/.378 through 149 plate appearances at Round Rock. He’s gone 16-18 on stolen bases but has only two homers in 32 games after connecting on 13 longballs in 80 Triple-A contests a season ago.
While the 25-year-old Thompson is clearly still a work in progress offensively, he has some standout skills that could intrigue another club. There are few more effective baserunners. Thompson has stolen 22 bases in 27 attempts at the MLB level and has been successful at a huge 83.2% clip in his minor league career. That standout speed gives him the ability to play all three outfield spots, though he’s spent most of his MLB time in left field.
Texas has no choice but to put Thompson on waivers within the next week. It seems fairly likely he’ll be claimed. Another team willing to carry him on the 40-man roster could keep him in the minors for the foreseeable future. Thompson is in his first of three minor league option seasons.
Who is the most successful ‘Bubba’ in MLB history?
I remember the Royals had a big prospect 1st rounder named Bubba ( forget last name) who flopped.
I think Bubba guys only get to Aaa. Lol flop in the show despite the name.
Bubba Starling I believe. I think he was a top 5 or 6 pick without looking it up. Not sure if he’s still toiling in the minors…
baseball reference has him the 5th pick overall pick, last played in AAA in ’21.
He retired sadly. And is still trying to figure out how to hit on top of his pile of signing bonus money
At least if he ever goes to jail, his reputation precedes him, no one messes with Bubba…
Bubba is the perennial dominate cell mate
Well it is not
BUBBA Gump
Bubba Baker
BUBBA Smith
Bubba Starling
Maybe Bubba Trammel
Thanks. Bubba Starling
Wilmington Blue Rocks legend Bubba Starling.
Bubba Trammell. Runner-up, Bubba Morton, a good bench bar for a few seasons back in the 60s
If I remember correctly I allways liked Trammell’s defense
I saw Morton’s stats they were pretty solid
Bubba starling could have been what was it the starting Nebraska QB as a freshman?
Went the other way from Kyler murray
Bubba Church (1950-1955)
If Tim Mayza had a son would he name him Bubba?
Ah that’s Bubbamayza eh?
Jame Gumb (known by the nickname “Buffalo Bill” Silence of the Lambs) had an offspring with Bubba, it would be known as Bubba Gumb, chewy and delicious, just don’t blow bubbles, he knows Bubba…
With a first name like “Leslie” I could see why one would want to go by Bubba.
How can you say that? Think of all the great Leslies the MLB has seen over the years. There’s been… well there’s… err…
You have a point.
Former mlb umpire Leslie Nielsen is an American icon.
“… … … strike???
STRIKE!!!!!”
Actually a Canadian icon 🙂
Canada is part of North America… Sheesh
Born in Canada, died in America…he’s ours now.
Bubba is what you call a “3 outcomes” guy, a 245-pound DH. Not a Billy Hamilton clone.
Which 3 outcomes?
Homer, walk, strikeout.
Or, if you prefer: strikeout, strikeout, DFA
Someone who needs speed on the basepaths will grab him for the playoffs or a team with nothing to lose should give him a test drive. Poor man’s Esteury Ruiz?
Esteury Ruiz is a poor mans Esteury Ruiz.
Hubba bubba gum was the worst.
Ok, color me confused. If a player has options left, why are they designated?
DFA means they are being removed from the 40 man regardless of how many options they have.
who cares if he doesn’t hit home runs? if he can get on base at a .362 clip he has a spot on my team anyday
I’m kinda surprised-rather than giving up on a 25-year-old with elite speed, figured they would cut Brad Miller loose, and eat the 2 mil they still owe him.
Brad Miller must be Chris Youngs very best friend, to hold down a roster spot all year on a team with WS aspirations and contribute virtually nothing is criminal
Royals salivating at this bum
Jose Cisnero for Bubba T.
Bubba Thompson…thought he’d thrown in the towel with NASCAR and gave baseball a go, guess not!
Hey, Michael Jordan is his team owner he could have given him the advice, never know!
The Bubba experiment needs to end. Bubba and Cone type high draft picks didn’t work.