Kansas City Royals Claim Outfielder Bubba Thompson Off Waivers From Texas Rangers

Bubba Thompson hit just .170 in 37 games with the Texas Rangers in 2023, leading the team to designate the former top prospect for assignment.

The Kansas City Royals have claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Texas Rangers, the team announced Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers designated Thompson for assignment on Friday. The 2017 first round pick was a top-five prospect in Texas' system from 2018 to 2019, but he fell all the way out of their top 30 on MLB Pipeline in 2023. 

The Royals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Omaha upon picking him up off waivers. In a pair of related moves, Kansas City activated outfielder Drew Waters from the bereavement list and optioned Edward Olivares to Triple-A Omaha alongside Thompson.

Thompson appeared in 37 games with the Rangers at the major league level this season, batting .170 with a .520 OPS. In 2022, Thompson hit .265 with a .613 OPS in 55 games. Over two-thirds of his innings in the field have came out in left.

Left-handed pitchers have limited Thompson to a .165 batting average in the majors, compared to his .285 average against righties. Thompson has managed to flash his above-average speed at the MLB, level, though, stealing 22 bases on 27 tries for his career.

After batting .304 with an .829 OPS with Triple-A Round Rock last year, Thompson was hitting .260 with a .740 OPS as a member of the minor league squad this year.

The 25-year-old has averaged 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 58 stolen bases per 162 games throughout his career in the minors.

Kansas City is currently sitting at 38-81, which is the second-worst record in baseball and on pace to be the lowest winning percentage in franchise history. With the team so far out of the playoff race, Thompson could earn a promotion to the majors by the time September call-ups roll around.

The Royals had Sunday off, and are scheduled to return to action Monday against the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

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