David Thompson/Photo by Jennifer NievesEntering the 2018 season, David Thompson was arguably the Mets top third base prospect. He was coming off a season where he seemed to discover his power stroke From June 1 until the end of the season, Thompson hit .281/.344/.484 with 21 doubles, a triple, 13 homers, and 46 RBI for Double-A Binghamton. He backed that up by hitting .328/.371/.528 in the Arizona Fall League.

With him hitting for increased power, it seemed like he was going to take off playing at Cashman Field for Triple-A Las Vegas. Instead, Thompson would suffer a hairline fracture in his left hand. Ultimately, Thompson would play all of three games in 2018. In that time, he would not only lose a year of development, but he would also see his status within the Mets organization become more precarious.

At the trade deadline, the team would obtain Will Toffey in the Jeurys Familia trade. This offseason, the Mets would obtain J.D. Davis from the Houston Astros. While Davis’ versatility has been touted, his primary position has been third base. The Mets have also brought back Dilson Herrera. Ultimately, the infield for Syracuse promises to be crowded with the team also having Gavin Cecchini and Luis Guillorme likely ticketed to begin the season there.

This means any young infielder in the Mets organization needs to have a good Spring. It is needed to not just try to make a case why that player should be a part of the Opening Day roster, but also to show why they deserve playing time at the Triple-A level. In his second at-bat today, Thompson would begin to make his case hitting a home run off Astros prospect Kent Emanuel.

No name on the jersey, no problem for David Thompson, who hit 16 home runs for Binghamton in 2017 before an injury-riddled 2018 season. #Mets pic.twitter.com/lQkMeN7dw4

— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) February 25, 2019

More than anything, this is hopefully a sign Thompson is healthy, and his hand injury is not going to have any lingering effects during the 2019 season. Hopefully, this is a sign Thompson has picked up where he left off in 2017. If so, the Mets have considerably more infield depth than they believed heading into this season.