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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith hit a ball that looked like a surefire home run, but former Dodger Trayce Thompson ended up making an impressive jumping catch.
Smith is with Team USA, serving as the backup catcher to the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Reilgh, though Smith got the starting nod on Saturday against Great Britain, who has Thompson playing in right field.
In the bottom of the second inning, Smith connected with a 92 mph fastball, hitting it at 97.8 mph off the bat.
The ball ended up traveling 344 feet, looking like it was going to clear the wall, when Thompson rose up and made contact with it, holding on to it firmly.
Smith is not the only Dodgers player on Team USA, as the legendary Clayton Kershaw is also on the squad in what will likely be his last time pitching.
Before the start of the tournament, Smith reflected on what it would be like to have Kershaw on the team, providing veteran leadership and experience, as well as the ability to keep runs off the board if called upon.
“I know he’s excited about it,” Smith said. “I’m excited he’s gonna be able to join us. I know he was bummed he couldn’t last time, so it’ll be, you know, a really cool experience for him and me. Yeah, trying to win a gold medal.”
Trayce Thompson’s career
Thompson is elegible for the Great Britan squad due to his father’s Bahamian nationality. Mychal, his father, is a former Los Angeles Lakers player.
Trayce spent years within the Dodgers organization, serving up electric moments at the plate and in the outfield, but failing to find any consistency and eventually bouncing around the league.
He lasted played on the Boston Red Sox, taking part in their Spring Training squad and then playing for their Triple-A affiliate.
He hit .226/.312/.405 in Triple-A with 13 home runs before electing free agency, where he remains now.
“I love the game, No. 1,” Thompson said. “No. 2, I feel that I’m still athletically capable, and I still have the energy.
“The battery is still charged to keep going. I still have the passion to see my potential through. I never had a stretch where I’ve been satisfied. I don’t think I ever will until I’m done playing.”
Thompson, at the age of 34, is likely looking at his last serious chance to impress other MLB teams.
