One month into the high school baseball season, it's clear which player has made a big jump to emerge as a much-talked about college and professional prospect: center fielder Trayce Thompson of Rancho Santa Margarita.
The 6-foot-3 Thompson was known primarily for his basketball background because his father, Mychal, was the No. 1 player taken in the 1978 NBA draft, and his older brothers, Mychel and Klay, were starters this season at Pepperdine and Washington State, respectively.
Thompson was an important contributor for Santa Margarita's 2008 state Division III championship basketball team.
Then he did something that stunned many -- he quit basketball last summer to focus year-round on baseball.
"It wasn't that tough because I love baseball so much and want to go as far as I can," he said. "It was tough for my dad. He's used to every winter going to basketball games instead of winter baseball games."
But what a difference it has made for Thompson's baseball future.
"There's a lot of buzz about him to see a guy that big and strong and how he plays the game real easy," said UCLA Coach John Savage, who signed Thompson in November.
Two weeks ago, Thompson hit two home runs when Santa Margarita upset No. 1-ranked Santa Ana Mater Dei, 4-2. Last season, he hit a home run against first-round draft pick Gerrit Cole of Orange Lutheran.
"He definitely has all-the-way-to-the-top potential," Santa Margarita Coach Kris Jondle said. "He's a great athlete, loves baseball and is very fluid."
Thompson has provoked intense curiosity because no one knows how good he could become by focusing on baseball.
"I've never played a full season of baseball because of basketball," he said. "Playing every day helps a lot. It's what I want to do with my life. I want to go as far as I can, and I need to get used to that."
He always has had power, remembering how as a fourth-grader he could hit a baseball farther than his older brothers.
"I'm not the biggest guy in the world," he said. "I'm not the strongest guy. I guess it's natural. The power has really jumped up a lot. I guess it's getting your hips into the ball and using your legs a lot more."
He credits former major leaguer Chris Gwynn for helping his swing and teaching him fundamentals.
Savage could be sweating it out in June when the draft occurs to see which professional team decides to make a run at Thompson, but he's hoping Thompson will see the value of playing in the Pacific 10 Conference.
