Rangers Spring Training Preview: Bubba Thompson

Bubba Thompson is a rookie who played left field and enters 2023 as the incumbent.

InsidetheRangers.com previews every player on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster heading into Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.

OF Bubba Thompson

In 2022: After setting Round Rock’s single-season stolen base record in July, Thompson got his call-up in August on the same day that the Rangers called up pitcher Cole Ragans. In fact, the two first-round picks made their MLB debut together.

From a rookie debut standpoint, Thompson had a solid stretch, perhaps more solid than Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith. Hitting better than .250 at the MLB level as a rookie is nothing to turn up your nose at. The Rangers utilized his speed as a weapon on the basepaths and one could see him stealing 40-50 bases in a full season. His provided quality defense and his speed translates no matter which position he’s fielding.

Thompson batted .265/.302/.312/.614 in 55 games. He scored 18 runs and had five doubles, one home run and nine RBI. and had 53 total bases. He drew seven walks and struck out 56 times. He stole 18 bases and was caught stealing only three times.

He played 35 games in left field, 10 games in right field and nine games in center field and was charged with just one error, which came while playing left field.

Thompson’s Career at a Glance: The Rangers made Thompson, a two-sport athlete at McGill–Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Ala., their first-round pick in 2017. He progressed steadily through the organization, making an Arizona Fall League appearance in 2019 and earning an All-Star selection there.

Contract Status: Thompson is still under team control.

In Surprise: The Rangers need a left fielder. Everyone seems to agree on that, but no one seems to agree on how to address the issue. Some want the Rangers to trade for a player like Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds, who is believed to be on the block. Some want the Rangers to try a converted infielder like Josh Smith or Ezequiel Duran.

Thompson is the one internal candidate at the Major League level that has played outfield, so he has a potential inside track for the job. His speed and glove are his best assets. He could settle into a bottom-of-the-order role if the Rangers get something more out of the designated hitter role. That’s not to say Thompson’s bat can’t evolve. But the game is so in love with power, and Thompson is not that kind of prospect, that could be easy for the Rangers pass him over. The shift ban may help him, especially if it allows gap-power hitters like Thompson to have a more significant impact on the game. He’ll get a chance to prove all of that in Surprise.

2023 Texas Rangers 40-Man Spring Training Previews:

Joe Barlow | John King | Dane Dunning | Brett Martin | Jake Odorizzi | Yerry Rodriguez | Owen White | Cole Ragans | Andrew Heaney | Glenn Otto | Josh Sborz | Ricky Vanasco | Cole Winn | Nathan Eovaldi | Jon Gray | Jonathan Hernández | Spencer Howard | José Leclerc | Martín Pérez | Brock Burke | Jacob deGrom | Taylor Hearn | Jonah Heim | Sam Huff | Luisangel Acuña | Ezequiel Duran | Josh Jung |

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