Royals Claim Former 1st-Round Pick Off Waivers From Rangers; Stole 67 Bases In 2022

The Kansas City Royals have made a strategic move to claim outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Texas Rangers.

Despite his struggles with a .170 batting average in the majors, Thompson's potential remains evident, especially given his notable feat of stealing 67 bases in the previous season at both the Triple-A and major league levels.

CLAIMED: #Royals have claimed OF Bubba Thompson off waivers from the #Rangers.

— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) August 13, 2023

Over his two-year career in the majors, the 25-year-old holds a .242/.286/.305 triple-slash line, with one home run, 13 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and 28 runs scored across 92 games played.

Once a highly regarded prospect, Thompson's departure from the Rangers was prompted by his underwhelming performance, leading to his designation for assignment.

Joining the Royals offers Thompson a fresh start to showcase his skills and potential.

While his recent MLB struggles resulted in his removal from the Rangers' roster, the Royals' approach seems to focus on his development.

For his minor-league career, Thompson holds a .269/.330/.438 triple-slash line, with 47 home runs, 192 RBIs, 139 stolen bases, and 277 runs scored across 387 games played.

Bubba Thompson
Cole Ragans
Joe Barlow
Taylor Hearn

All appeared in 2023 for Rangers and are now with Royals

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 13, 2023

The Royals' Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, will provide Thompson with an opportunity to reignite his career and prove his readiness for a potential return to the major-league lineup.

This move aligns with the Royals' rebuilding strategy, emphasizing the growth of young talents with future prospects in mind.

Thompson is a former first-round pick by the Rangers (26th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft. Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports