Thompson (6 HR!) hoping to parlay hot streak into roster spot

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- One thing is certain: Red Sox manager Alex Cora is a straight shooter.

After the team signed outfielder Trayce Thompson to a Minor League contract on Feb. 17, Cora spoke with him in the media room at JetBlue Park. Cora simply told Thompson what the latter needed to do to be successful at the plate. It was old school advice. The skipper told him to be ¡°on time¡± when it comes to hitting the baseball.

¡°We talk about bat speed and [hitting] the ball in the air and all that, but if you are not on time, you are not going to recognize pitches. Obviously, you are going to be late,¡± Cora said. ¡°Just be an athlete and put yourself in a position where [you] can attack the ball, move fast.¡±

Cora's advice seems to be working because entering Tuesday¡¯s action against the Phillies, Thompson has been Boston¡¯s most consistent hitter, going 9-for-23 (.391) with a team-leading six home runs and 12 RBIs. The sixth home run came on Sunday against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder during a 7-3 victory at JetBlue Park.

¡°It¡¯s not as simple as one thing. [Cora] and the hitting guys have been super transparent and direct with me,¡± Thompson said. ¡°We tried to work on some things to clean up my bat path. It¡¯s always going to be a work in progress. You could always get better.

¡°But A.C. flat out told me, ¡®When you are on time, you could do a lot of dangerous things.' ¡­ I feel I have a lot more control of the at-bat. I feel like I can dictate certain things. It has felt good, and Spring Training is the time to find your timing. I¡¯m just trying to be consistent and trying to make the most of each day with it.¡±

Thompson also has shown the Red Sox that he is athletic in the outfield and is capable of stealing an occasional base, which he did in the second inning on Sunday. He has three stolen bases so far this spring, tied with David Hamilton for most on the team.

¡°We are going to keep playing him,¡± Cora said. ¡°As you know, there is other stuff going on. I¡¯m glad he is here. We¡¯ll see what happens in the future."

What¡¯s going on with Boston's outfield? The team is not sure whether outfielder Wilyer Abreu will be ready for Opening Day after a gastrointestinal virus caused him to lose a significant amount of weight.

In the meantime, Thompson is not thinking that far ahead. He is taking things one day at a time.

¡°I have two kids and it¡¯s like, let¡¯s get through the day and let¡¯s get everyone tucked in at night and get ready for tomorrow,¡± he said.

Despite being a journeyman during his 15 years in professional baseball, Thompson¡¯s love for the sport has never wavered through multiple DFAs, waiver claims, trades and transactions. He has played for six teams and never thought about quitting. He comes from an athletic family that includes father Mychal Thompson and brother Klay Thompson, both NBA legends. They always tell him to never give up.

¡°I love the game, No. 1,¡± Trayce 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.¡±

Hopefully Cora¡¯s hitting advice will stick with Thompson the entire season.