WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If Trayce Thompson is trying to make a good first impression, a grand slam should do the trick.
Thompson, in major league camp on a minor league pact, slammed his first home run of the spring — a two-out, bases-loaded blast to left — in the Mets’ 6-3 win over the Nationals on Monday.
The younger brother of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, Trayce is trying to stick for a team that, barring injury, probably will not have an Opening Day roster spot for an outfielder available but surely will at some point this season.
The 32-year-old has had strong seasons but is not coming off of one.
He struggled through 72 games last year with the Dodgers and White Sox, hitting .163 with a .579 OPS.
The righty hitter with solid pop — he smacked 13 homers in 80 games in 2022 — has oddly performed far better against righty pitchers than lefty pitchers in his career.
During that breakout campaign in ’22, he killed righties (against whom he sported a 1.010 OPS) and struggled against lefties (.621 OPS).
Last season with the Dodgers, Thompson was in the lineup often against lefties, and his struggles continued.
Monday’s grand slam came against lefty Robert Garcia, perhaps a good sign for him.
“I’ve made a lot of adjustments and been working a lot. I know I can do it,” Thompson said about hitting lefties. “This early in the spring, just feels good to hit the ball hard. I know I can do it.”
Jeff McNeil, who has not played in the first three games of the Grapefruit League season, likely will begin to see action in the first week of March, manager Carlos Mendoza said.
McNeil rested for two months this offseason with a partially torn UCL, so he is building up slowly.
Top prospect Drew Gilbert started in center field and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
The 23-year-old is speedy enough to remain in center field upon reaching the majors, but his strong arm could push him to right field eventually. Throughout camp, Mendoza said, the Mets will keep him in center.
“But this is a guy that can play the corners, too,” Mendoza said. “He can play anywhere. He’s got speed. He’s got the arm. And he’s a gamer. … Special player, special talent. He’s capable of playing all three positions.”
Darryl Strawberry reported to camp at Port St. Lucie, where he will be serving as a guest instructor until Saturday.
