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Bubba Thompson
Bubba Thompson
Bubba Thompson
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Leslie Arnold "Bubba" Thompson (born June 9, 1998) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and college football quarterback for the West Florida Argonauts. He previously played for the South Alabama Jaguars. He also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds. Thompson was drafted by the Rangers with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft.

Key Information

Amateur career

[edit]

Thompson attended McGill–Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama. He played baseball and American football in high school.[1] As a junior in baseball, he hit .469 with 19 stolen bases.[2] During his senior year in football, he led his team to the Class 7A state title game, and passed for 3,173 yards and 38 touchdowns.[2] Thompson was teammates with future NFL wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.[3]

He originally committed to Auburn University to play college baseball, but changed his commitment to the University of Alabama in February 2017.[4][5][6] A three-star football recruit, he also received offers to play college football from the University of Tennessee and the University of Mississippi.[7][8]

Thompson was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] Thompson was drafted by the Texas Rangers with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the draft.[11]

Professional career

[edit]

Texas Rangers

[edit]

Thompson officially signed with the Rangers a few days after the draft[12] and was assigned to the AZL Rangers, where he spent the whole season, posting a .257 batting average in 113 at bats with three home runs and 12 RBIs in thirty games.[13] He spent 2018 with the Hickory Crawdads of the Single–A South Atlantic League, where he slashed .289/.344/.446 in 332 at bats with eight home runs, 42 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases in 39 attempts.[14]

Thompson was ranked as the #48 overall prospect in baseball by Baseball Prospectus in their preseason 2019 Top 101 list.[15] He was ranked as the #108 overall prospect in baseball by Fangraphs in their preseason 2019 Top 130 list.[16]

Thompson was assigned to the Down East Wood Ducks of the High–A Carolina League for the 2019 season.[17][18] He was placed on the injured list on April 17, after suffering a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.[19] He finished an injury-marred season hitting .178/.261/.312/.573 in 202 at bats with five home runs and 21 RBIs and 12 steals in 15 attempts in 57 games.[20] Thompson played in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros following the 2019 season,[21][22] and was named a Fall League All-Star.[23]

Thompson did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson spent the 2021 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central, hitting .275/.325/.483 in 429 at bats with 16 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 33 attempts.[24][25] He was named the co-winner of the Rangers' 2021 True Ranger Award, along with Keyber Rodriguez.[26] Thompson opened the 2022 season with the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, hitting .304/.355/.474 in 346 at bats with 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 49 stolen bases (a Round Rock record, and second in the PCL) in 52 attempts over 80 games.[27][28][29][30]

On August 4, 2022, Texas selected Thompson's contract and promoted him to the active roster to make his MLB debut versus the Chicago White Sox.[31] In his debut, Thompson recorded his first career hit, a bunt single off of Johnny Cueto.[32] On August 30, Thompson hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez.[33] In 2022 with Texas, he batted .265/.302/.312 in 170 at bats with 18 steals in 21 attempts, and his 85.71% stolen base percentage was 8th-best in the American League, as he played primarily left field.[34] He had the second-fastest sprint speed of all major league batters, at 30.4 feet/second.[35]

In 37 games for Texas in 2023, Thompson batted .170/.237/.283 with 4 RBI and 4 stolen bases. On August 11, 2023, Thompson was designated for assignment following the promotion of J. P. Martínez.[36]

Kansas City Royals

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On August 13, 2023, Thompson was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.[37] In 33 games for the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers, Thompson hit .259/.313/.410 with 4 home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

Cincinnati Reds

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On October 26, 2023, Thompson was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds,[38] who designated him for assignment on December 28.[39] He was then claimed by the New York Yankees on January 4, 2024[40] designated for assignment on January 19,[41] and claimed by the Minnesota Twins on January 24.[42] Thompson was designated for assignment by the Twins on February 7 following multiple waiver claims,[43] and was then claimed again by the Reds on February 13.[44] Thompson was optioned to the Triple–A Louisville Bats to begin the 2024 season.[45] On March 27, Thompson was recalled from Louisville.[46] He played in 17 games for Cincinnati, but went 2–for–18 (.111) with no home runs or RBI. On May 23, Thompson was designated for assignment by the Reds.[47] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Double–A Chattanooga Lookouts on May 25.[48] Thompson elected free agency following the season on November 4.[49]

Football career

[edit]
Bubba Thompson
West Florida Argonauts
PositionQuarterback
ClassFreshman
Personal information
Born (1998-06-09) June 9, 1998 (age 27)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High schoolMcGill–Toolen
(Mobile, Alabama)
College

On January 12, 2025, Thompson announced that he was retiring from baseball and was enrolling in college at the University of South Alabama where he was going to attempt to make the football team as a walk-on.[50]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bubba Thompson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Leslie Arnold "Bubba" Thompson (born June 9, 1998) is an American for the Jaguars who previously pursued a professional career as an in (MLB). A multisport standout from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in , where he earned all-state honors in both and football, Thompson was regarded as one of the top high school athletes in the nation. Thompson's professional baseball journey began when the Texas Rangers selected him in the first round (26th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft out of high school, forgoing a commitment to play at . He progressed through the Rangers' system over five seasons, showcasing elite speed and defensive skills in the outfield, before making his MLB debut with on , 2022. In 2023, he appeared in 37 games for the Texas Rangers, batting .170 with 4 stolen bases; later that year, he was claimed off waivers by the and played in the minors. Thompson joined the in 2024 after being claimed off waivers from the organization in February, appearing in 17 MLB games that season before being optioned to the minors. Following his release by the Reds after the 2024 season, Thompson decided to return to his football roots, enrolling at the in January 2025 as a 26-year-old walk-on freshman . Despite his age and seven years away from organized football, he impressed during spring practice in 2025, with head coach noting his arm strength, accuracy, and quick adaptation to the college level. As of November 2025, Thompson remains on the Jaguars' roster, competing for playing time in the Sun Belt Conference.

Early life and amateur career

High school baseball

Leslie Arnold "Bubba" Thompson was born on June 9, 1998, in , where he developed an early interest in amid the region's rich tradition of producing major league talent. Thompson attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, where he excelled as an on the team. He initially committed to play at but de-committed in November 2016 to pursue both baseball and football. Later, he committed to the . As a senior in 2017, he posted a .429 , along with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 43 stolen bases, showcasing his speed, power, and contact skills. His performance helped highlight his athletic versatility, though he focused primarily on during that standout season. Thompson's high school achievements earned him recognition as a 2017 All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game, affirming his status as one of the nation's top prep prospects.

High school football

Bubba Thompson played for the McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Yellow Jackets in , demonstrating his dual-sport prowess during his high school years. As a senior in 2016, he led the team to an undefeated 13-0 regular season record, completing 69% of his passes for 2,894 yards and 37 touchdowns while adding 494 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. In the playoffs, Thompson guided McGill-Toolen to victories over Jeff Davis (46-14), Enterprise (27-23), and Central-Phenix City (35-21), advancing to the Class 7A state championship game against Hoover. There, the Yellow Jackets fell 17-7, with Thompson completing 26 of 39 passes for 280 yards and one in the loss, while being sacked nine times. Thompson's performance earned him all-state honors and recognition as a three-star recruit, ranked among the top prospects nationally by services like . He received scholarship offers to play from programs including , Ole Miss, , Memphis, and Western Kentucky. Ultimately, following his parallel success in baseball, Thompson opted to forgo college football after being selected 26th overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2017 MLB Draft, signing for a $2.1 million bonus.

Professional baseball career

Draft and minor leagues

Thompson was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft out of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama. He signed with the Rangers on June 16, 2017, for a $2.1 million signing bonus, below the $2.45 million slot value for his draft position. Following the signing, Thompson was assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona League Rangers, where he batted .257 with five stolen bases in 30 games during his professional debut. In 2018, Thompson advanced to the Low-A Hickory Crawdads in the , posting a .289 and stealing 32 bases over 84 games, showcasing his elite speed early in his career. He earned promotion to High-A Down East Wood Ducks in the for the 2019 season, though his performance dipped to a .178 average amid injuries, including a fractured that limited him to 58 games and 12 stolen bases. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the , preventing Thompson from gaining official game experience; instead, he participated in the Rangers' instructional league and alternate training site, going 1-for-2 in limited intrasquad action. Thompson returned to affiliated in 2021 with the Double-A in the , where he batted .275 with 25 stolen bases in 105 games, rebounding from prior setbacks. Scouts evaluated Thompson as possessing plus-plus speed—graded 70 on the 20-80 scale—and solid center field defense, with his range allowing highlight-reel plays despite raw reads; however, he faced challenges with consistent contact and developing gap power, limiting his offensive projection.

Texas Rangers

Thompson was promoted to the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the , on April 1, 2022, where he spent the early part of the season developing his skills. He made his Triple-A debut on April 5, 2022, during the Express's game, marking a significant step in his professional progression after strong performances in Double-A. Over 80 games with Round Rock that year, Thompson demonstrated elite speed and defensive ability, batting .303 with 13 home runs and a franchise-record 49 stolen bases, earning him the team's MVP honors. Following his impressive campaign, Thompson received his first major league call-up on August 4, 2022, and made his MLB debut that evening as the starting left fielder for the Rangers against the . In his debut, he recorded a single in three at-bats, contributing to a 3-2 victory. Thompson appeared in 55 games for during the 2022 season, primarily as a late-game defensive replacement and pinch-runner, batting .265 with one , nine RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts—showcasing his value as a speed specialist with the second-fastest sprint speed in the majors at 30.4 feet per second. In 2023, Thompson shuttled between the majors and Triple-A, appearing in 37 games with the Rangers while batting .170 with four stolen bases and serving in a similar utility role focused on his athleticism and defense. Early in the season, he saw increased opportunities in center field due to injuries to other , but his playing time was limited by ongoing adjustments at the plate. On June 2, 2023, he was optioned to Round Rock. He was recalled on June 24. Later that summer, on July 28, he was recalled briefly but struggled to secure consistent at-bats amid a crowded . Thompson's tenure with the Rangers concluded on August 2, 2023, when he was optioned to Round Rock following a roster move. He was then on August 11 to make room for another player, ending his affiliation with the organization that had drafted him in 2017. The claimed him off waivers on August 13, 2023, for cash considerations.

Kansas City Royals

On August 13, 2023, the Kansas City Royals claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Texas Rangers and immediately optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers. Thompson did not appear in any Major League Baseball games for the Royals during his brief tenure with the organization. In 33 games with the Omaha Storm Chasers that season, he posted a .259 batting average along with 11 stolen bases, showcasing his plus speed while continuing to battle contact challenges at the plate. On October 26, 2023, following the conclusion of the season, the Royals placed Thompson on waivers, after which he was claimed by the , effectively ending his time in the Royals system. Throughout his stint with Kansas City, Thompson was regarded as a potential depth valued for his elite baserunning ability—highlighted by his success rate on stolen bases—but hampered by persistent issues with plate discipline and swing-and-miss tendencies that limited his offensive consistency.

Cincinnati Reds

On December 28, 2023, the designated Thompson for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for reliever Buck Farmer, shortly after claiming him off waivers from the on October 26, 2023. Following a series of waivers—first to the New York Yankees on January 4, 2024, then to the on January 24, 2024—the Reds reclaimed Thompson off waivers from the Twins on February 13, 2024, and optioned him to Triple-A . He began the 2024 season with Louisville, where his speed remained a standout tool, allowing him to swipe bases effectively in play. Thompson earned an MLB recall from the Bats on March 27, 2024, joining the Reds' Opening Day roster as a reserve valued for his defensive range and base-running ability. In 17 games with that season, he appeared primarily as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch-runner, posting a .111 (2-for-18) with no home runs or RBIs but successfully stealing 5 bases, including a notable second-base steal on April 28, 2024, confirmed after replay review. His brief big-league stint highlighted his elite speed—graded as a 70 tool on the 20-80 scouting scale—but limited opportunities at the plate underscored ongoing challenges with contact and power against major league pitching. On May 23, 2024, the Reds again designated Thompson for assignment to accommodate roster needs, and after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts on May 25, 2024. He elected free agency on November 4, 2024, concluding his time with the organization and marking the end of his professional baseball playing career. Over parts of three MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds, Thompson appeared in 109 games, batting .232 with 1 home run, 13 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases in 241 at-bats.

Retirement and post-baseball pursuits

Retirement announcement

On January 12, 2025, Bubba Thompson posted a social media video on in which he threw a football at the University of South Alabama's practice facility, signaling his intention to join the Jaguars football team as a walk-on and pursue higher education after more than seven years in , spanning eight seasons from 2017 to 2024. At the time, he was 26 years old and had entered free agency following his release by the after the 2024 season. Thompson reflected on his career highlights in subsequent comments, including earning a as part of the Texas Rangers' 2023 championship team and accumulating 109 major league games with a .232 and 27 stolen bases across stints with the Rangers and Reds. He stated there were no immediate plans to pursue other professional sports beyond his intended walk-on role with South Alabama's football team, emphasizing instead a return to his roots in the sport from high school. The announcement garnered significant media attention, with outlets like AL.com and WKRG reporting on the unusual career pivot for a former first-round draft pick. In an interview with WKRG News 5, Thompson discussed the challenges of transitioning as a young athlete, noting how the "one door closing" in baseball opened new opportunities but required balancing personal growth with the demands of starting college classes the following week.

College enrollment

Following the end of his professional baseball career, Bubba Thompson enrolled at the for the spring 2025 semester, marking his first experience in higher education. As a freshman, Thompson joined the university's football program as a walk-on , participating in offseason workouts and spring practices under head coach . During spring practices in April 2025, Applewhite noted Thompson's progress, highlighting his daily improvements, competitive intelligence, and adaptation to the mental demands of college football after years away from the sport. Because Thompson had never previously enrolled in college, he retains full eligibility, allowing him five years to compete in four seasons of NCAA football. By November 2025, he remained listed on the Jaguars' football roster as a quarterback (jersey number 16), with no reported academic disruptions or changes to his student status; as of November 15, 2025, Thompson has not yet appeared in any games during the 2025 season. His transition to campus life includes involvement in the athletic program in a playing capacity, though details on additional extracurricular activities, such as coaching or student organizations, have not been publicly disclosed.

References

  1. https://usajaguars.com/sports/football/roster/bubba-thompson/12446
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/bubba-thompson-669352
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompbu01.shtml
  4. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bubba-thompson-former-mlb-outfielder-joins-south-alabama-football-team-as-walk-on/
  5. https://www.al.com/sports/2025/04/south-alabamas-major-applewhite-updates-bubba-thompsons-progress-during-spring-practice.html
  6. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2024/04/15/bubba-thompson-reflects-on-hometowns-rich-history-on-jackie-robinson-day/73336252007/
  7. https://www.al.com/sports/2016/11/mcgill-toolen_qb_bubba_thompso.html
  8. https://www.maxpreps.com/news/mdebDIGy0UaqsWKFGvRa0w/maxpreps-2017-high-school-baseball-all-american-teams.htm
  9. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/high-school-all-america-team-gore-adell-lead-top-preps/
  10. https://www.perfectgame.org/all_americans/Default.aspx?Year=2017&List=AllAmericanTeams
  11. https://www.ahsfhs.org/teams2/playoffs.asp?Team=McGill-Toolen
  12. https://www.al.com/news/2016/11/mcgill-toolen_27_enterprise_23.html
  13. https://abc3340.com/sports/high-school/blitz3340-alabama-high-school-football-playoff-scores-friday-nov-18-2016
  14. https://www.wbrc.com/story/33831867/hoover-bucs-win-7a-high-school-football-championship-over-mcgill-toolen-catholic/
  15. https://www.ahsfhs.org/Supersix/20162.asp?c=7a
  16. https://www.ahsaa.com/Sports/Football/Football-Super-7-Individual-Records
  17. https://247sports.com/player/bubba-thompson-79991/
  18. https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-sign-top-3-picks-from-mlb-draft-c236875836
  19. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=thomps000bub
  20. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/7450-bubba-thompson/
  21. https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/rpjm9hfavbwrc9dgh28v.pdf
  22. https://www.milb.com/round-rock/news/bubba-thompson-named-2022-round-rock-express-mvp
  23. https://www.milb.com/news/bubba-thompson-makes-mlb-debut-with-rangers
  24. https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-texas-chicago-baseball-a4506f36b1ecc2a97408a405332253f6
  25. https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2023/03/bubba-thompsons-texas-rangers-mlb/
  26. https://www.royalsreview.com/royals-trades-transactions-free-agents-contracts/2023/8/13/23830633/royals-claim-bubba-thompson-demote-edward-olivares
  27. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_minor/2023~14078/
  28. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/reds-claim-bubba-thompson-from-royals.html
  29. https://www.mlb.com/news/reds-2024-opening-day-roster
  30. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/39644/bubba-thompson
  31. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/reds-dfa-bubba-thompson-emilio-pagan-injured-list.html
  32. https://www.al.com/sports/2025/01/bubba-thompson-set-to-join-south-alabama-football-team-as-walk-on.html
  33. https://www.wkrg.com/sports/local-sports/former-mlb-player-bubba-thompson-to-play-football-at-south-alabama-sometimes-the-road-changes/
  34. https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/5295073/bubba-thompson
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