NEW YORK, NY – The New York Yankees announced today that they have claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, adding a versatile player to their roster.
Thompson, 25, has shown promise in his brief Major League career with the Texas Rangers. In the 2023 season, he recorded a batting average of .170 (9-for-53), including 10 runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases over 37 games. His performance demonstrated his potential as a dynamic player on the field.
In addition to his Major League appearances, Thompson’s 2023 season also saw him play for Triple-A Round Rock in the Texas Rangers’ system and for the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A team in Omaha. During these stints, he combined to hit .259 (69-for-266) with 49 runs, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 walks, and an impressive 27 stolen bases across 65 games.
Over his two seasons in the majors with Texas (2022-23), Thompson has compiled a batting average of .242 (54-for-223) with 28 runs, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 11 walks, and 22 stolen bases in 92 career games. Defensively, he has shown his flexibility by playing at all three outfield positions – left field, right field, and centerfield.
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Thompson was a first-round pick (26th overall) by the Texas Rangers in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. His journey through the MLB has included waiver claims by Kansas City from Texas on August 13, 2023, and by Cincinnati from Kansas City on October 26, 2023, before landing with the Yankees.
The Yankees’ acquisition of Bubba Thompson signals their intent to bolster their outfield options with a young, athletic player capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. The team and its fans will be eagerly anticipating Thompson’s impact in the upcoming season.
