Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Bubba Thompson

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 , Thompson was regarded as one of the top high school athletes in the nation. Thompson's professional baseball journey began when the 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 , 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 after the 2024 season, Thompson decided to return to his roots, enrolling at the in January 2025 as a 26-year-old walk-on freshman . Despite his age and seven years away from organized , 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 talent. Thompson attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in , 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 , 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), (27-23), and Central-Phenix City (35-21), advancing to the Class 7A state championship game against . 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, , , 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 honors. Following his impressive campaign, Thompson received his first 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 , 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 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 ' 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 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 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 . 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 . As a freshman, Thompson joined the university's 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. [1]
    Bubba Thompson - Baseball-Reference.com
    Position: Outfielder ; Bats: Right • Throws: Right ; Born: June 9, 1998 in Mobile, AL us ; Draft: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (26th) of the 2017 ...
  2. [2]
    Bubba Thompson - Football - University of South Alabama Athletics
    Bubba Thompson (16) QB - Before South Alabama: Played seven seasons of professional baseball ... played three seasons in the MLB, including two for the ...
  3. [3]
    Bubba Thompson Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight ... - MLB.com
    Bubba Thompson Bio · Fullname: Leslie A. Thompson · Born: 6/09/1998 in Mobile, AL · Draft: 2017, Texas Rangers, Round: 1, Overall Pick: 26 · High School: McGill ...
  4. [4]
    Bubba Thompson, former MLB outfielder, joins South Alabama ...
    Jan 14, 2025 · According to AL.com, Thompson has joined the South Alabama football team as a walk-on. In a video Thompson posted on his social media accounts, ...
  5. [5]
    South Alabama's Major Applewhite updates Bubba Thompson's ...
    Apr 11, 2025 · He was released by the Reds after the 2024 season, and enrolled at South Alabama in January with plans to return to football. Thompson has shown ...
  6. [6]
    Bubba Thompson reflects on hometown's rich history on Jackie ...
    Apr 15, 2024 · Bubba Thompson was a first-round draft pick out of high school in Mobile, Alabama, a place that has produced almost as many Hall of Fame baseball players as ...
  7. [7]
    MaxPreps 2017 High School Baseball All-American Teams
    Jul 3, 2017 · OF – Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.), ... 504 batting average, 53 runs, 66 hits, 81 RBIs, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs ...
  8. [8]
    High School All-America Team: Gore, Adell Lead Top Preps
    Jun 27, 2017 · 590 with 12 home runs and 28 walks. Beck hits for power to all ... Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen Catholic HS, Mobile, Ala. Sr. .429, 119 ...
  9. [9]
    2017 Preseason All Americans and All Region Teams - Perfect Game
    Leslie (Bubba) Thompson, OF, Theodore, AL, Mcgill-Toolen Catholic, TPL ... Bubba Baseball, Elon. Javeon Cody, OF, Decatur, GA, Southwest Dekalb, GBSA Rays
  10. [10]
    McGill-Toolen two-sport star Bubba Thompson picks baseball, will ...
    Feb 7, 2017 · The Yellow Jacket senior announced on Twitter on Tuesday he was committing to play baseball at the University of Alabama. Thompson, also an ...
  11. [11]
    McGill-Toolen QB Bubba Thompson de-commits from Auburn ...
    Nov 23, 2016 · In leading the Yellow Jackets to a 13-0 record, he has completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards and 37 touchdowns. He's been ...Missing: stats | Show results with:stats
  12. [12]
    McGill-Toolen Playoff Results - Alabama High School Football History
    School Football over the past 100 seasons. McGill-Toolen Playoff Results ... 2016. Fri., Nov. 4, vs. Jeff Davis, W 46-14, 1st Round Playoffs. Fri., Nov. 11 ...
  13. [13]
    McGill-Toolen 27, Enterprise 23: Fourth-down touchdown completes ...
    Nov 12, 2016 · Thompson completed 13 of 24 passes for 220 yards ith two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries. Running ...Missing: stats | Show results with:stats
  14. [14]
    #Blitz3340: Alabama high school football playoff scores, Friday, Nov ...
    ... Austin 27, Muscle Shoals 21. Class 7A. Semifinal. McGill-Toolen 35, Central-Phenix City 21. AdChoices Ad Choices Icon Sponsored. conversation-loading.
  15. [15]
    Hoover Bucs win 7A high school football championship over McGill ...
    Nov 30, 2016 · McGill-Toolen, which saw its 22-game winning streak come to an end, got a strong defensive effort Carlton Martial. The linebacker had 11 solo ...
  16. [16]
    2016 Super Seven State Championship Summaries - AHSFHS.org
    Pass/Yards, 280, 65. Pass att/com/int, 39-26-1, 17-7-0. Total Yards, 64-237, 59 ... Time of Poss. 22:14, 25:46. Individual Stats. McGill-Toolen. Rushing, Att. Yds ...Missing: touchdowns | Show results with:touchdowns
  17. [17]
    Football Super 7 Individual Records - Sports - AHSAA.com
    McGill-Toolen, 2017 (.667) Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen (26 of 39) vs. Hoover, 2016. Most Pass Receptions 1A: (13) Kevin Green, Linden vs. Mars Hill Bible ...Missing: stats | Show results with:stats
  18. [18]
    Bubba Thompson, McGill Toolen, Pro-Style Quarterback - 247 Sports
    HS Athletic Background: Bubba Thompson is a 6-2, 180-pound Pro-Style Quarterback from Mobile, AL.
  19. [19]
    Rangers sign top three Draft picks - MLB.com
    Jun 16, 2017 · He earned a signing bonus of $2.1 million, while Seise earned ... Bubba Thompson on joining Texas. Seise was a high school teammates of ...
  20. [20]
    Bubba Thompson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics
    Bubba Thompson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics including batting, fielding, prospect rankings and more on Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. [21]
    Bubba Thompson Stats & Scouting Report - Baseball America
    School Mcgill-Toolen Catholic; Debut 08/04/2022; Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2017 (signed for $2,100,000). View Draft ...
  22. [22]
    [PDF] Round rock Express
    RHP. Daniel Robert, INF Josh Smith and OF Bubba Thompson all made their Triple-A debuts on. Opening Day - April 5, 2022 while RHP Hever Bueno made his on April ...
  23. [23]
    OF Bubba Thompson Named 2022 Round Rock Express MVP
    Thompson appeared in 80 games and hit . 303 with 49 stolen bases for Round Rock before making his Major League debut for the Rangers on August 4.
  24. [24]
    Bubba Thompson makes MLB debut with Rangers | MiLB.com
    Former Riders outfielder Bubba Thompson made his Major League debut with the Texas Rangers on Thursday, August 4th, against the Chicago White Sox.
  25. [25]
    Rangers win 3-2 over WSox in debuts of 2 former 1st-rounders
    Aug 4, 2022 · Bubba Thompson, the team's first pick in 2017, was 1 for 3 with a ... The debuts by Ragans and Thompson came after the Rangers formally introduced ...<|separator|>
  26. [26]
    Bubba Thompson's Chance Has Come. What Happens if He Makes ...
    Mar 8, 2023 · A Leody Taveras oblique injury will give the 24-year-old an opportunity in center field. It's not hard to envision how it could become more ...Missing: hamstring | Show results with:hamstring
  27. [27]
    Royals claim Bubba Thompson, demote Edward Olivares
    Aug 13, 2023 · Thompson, 25, will take one of the 40-man roster spots opened at the trade deadline. Thompson was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers ...Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
  28. [28]
    2023 Omaha Storm Chasers - Statistics and Roster
    Batting Statistics ; 8, Bubba Thompson, 25 ; 34, Devin Mann, 26 ; 11, Adeiny Hechavarria, 34 ; 60, Jose Briceno, 30 ; 32,25, Nick Pratto, 24 ...
  29. [29]
    Reds Claim Bubba Thompson From Royals - MLB Trade Rumors
    Oct 26, 2023 · The Royals announced that outfielder Bubba Thompson has been claimed off waivers by the Reds and that left-hander Taylor Hearn cleared ...Missing: demotion limited
  30. [30]
    https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/39644/bubba-thompson
  31. [31]
    Bubba Thompson 2024 batting Stats Per Game - MLB - ESPN
    The 2024 MLB batting season stats per game for Bubba Thompson of the Cincinnati Reds on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.Missing: Texas Rangers debut demotion trade<|control11|><|separator|>
  32. [32]
    Reds Outright Bubba Thompson - MLB Trade Rumors
    May 25, 2024 · Reds Outright Bubba Thompson. May 25th, 2024 at 12:49pm CST • By ... Kennedy has spent the 2024 season in the Louisville rotation but ...Missing: date | Show results with:date<|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Bubba Thompson set to join South Alabama football team as walk-on
    Jan 13, 2025 · The 6-foot-2, 197-pound Thompson was a 3-star football recruit coming out of McGill-Toolen, and had scholarship offers from the likes of ...
  34. [34]
    Former MLB player Bubba Thompson to play football at South ...
    Jan 13, 2025 · Mobile-native and former first round MLB draft pick Bubba Thompson will join South Alabama football as walk-on.Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement