Bubba Thompson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Bubba Thompson has decided to try his hand at football as a walk-on at South Alabama this year. The 26-year-old was an all-state quarterback at McGill-Toolen Catholic School in 2016 but has been playing professional baseball for the last eight seasons. The former first-rounder by the Texas Rangers in 2017 has been in the big leagues the last three years with both the Rangers and Reds, slashing a weak .232/.273/.295 with a .568 OPS, one home run, 13 RBI, 27 stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 109 games played. Because Thompson never enrolled in college, he'll have five full years to play four seasons in college. With the 6-foot-2, 197-pounder's decision to go back to football, it's unlikely that he'll be a candidate to make it back to the big leagues in baseball. In seven minor-league seasons, Thompson hit .263/.321/.417 with 52 homers, 226 RBI and 165 steals in 486 games.

The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and designated right-hander Levi Stoudt for assignment in a corresponding move. Thompson has been passed around this offseason but will return to the Reds after they cut him two months earlier. The 25-year-old former first-rounder played in 92 games for the Texas Rangers the last two years and hit .242/.286/.305 with only one home run, 13 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 241 plate appearances. Thompson is mainly attractive for his defense in the outfield and his speed, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all and will most likely open the 2024 season at Triple-A Louisville given the Reds' stacked position player roster.

The Minnesota Twins claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Thompson is on his fifth different team since last August. The 25-year-old former first-round pick in 2017 by the Texas Rangers has played in 92 games the last two seasons with the Rangers and has gone 54-for-223 (.242) with one home run, 13 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 241 trips to the plate. The 25-year-old will give the Twins some center field depth with Byron Buxton (knee) coming off yet another injury-plagued season in 2023. Speed is Thompson's greatest asset, and he can also play all three outfield positions. He's going to need to show better discipline at the plate when he gets chances in Minnesota so that he can get on base more often to utilize his excellent speed.