Dodgers News: Trayce Thompson Reflects on Previous Season and Plans Going Forward

There were a handful of surprises surrounding the Boys in Blue last season. One of those surprises was to someone who wasn’t even on the roster to start Opening Day, outfielder Trayce Thompson.

Thompson was traded to LA for cash considerations after Mookie Betts suffered a rib injury in mid-June.

The Dodgers needed assurance in the right field to stay afloat, and Trayce exceeded expectations. He ultimately remained on the roster and was a common fixture in the lineup for the rest of the season and into the postseason.

The 31-year-old spoke with LA Times Dodger insider Jack Harris to reflect on his 2022 campaign and what he plans to improve on in 2023. Thompson said he wants to minimize his weaknesses, including his results against lefties.

“I know I had a step in the right direction last year for myself and my career, helping this team,” Thompson said. “But in my opinion, I wasn’t very good. I was really inconsistent. There’s a lot more room to grow.”
“It really boiled down to not hitting the fastball versus lefties,” he said. “I really struggled versus the fastball.” “It left a bad taste in my mouth on the year,” Thompson said. “It’s something that — I want to be the guy versus lefties … So there’s a lot of work to do.”

Overall, Trayce was solid for the Boys in Blue, slashing .268/.364/.537 with a .901 OPS, hitting 13 out of the park, and collecting 39 RBIs.

However, his numbers against lefties could have been better. Thompson had a .174 average against southpaws while only having 15 hits compared to 41 against righties, three home runs, nine walks, ten XBH, 11 RBIs, and a .621 OPS compared to a 1.010 OPS against right-handed pitchers.

Thompson will have to prove himself this spring training and have a chance to secure one of the two outfield spots come Opening Day.

And for Thomspon to secure one of those two spots, he must be able to hit off both right-handed and left-handed pitchers.