Tristan Pompey has leaned on his older brother, Dalton, for advice and guidance throughout his baseball career. Pompey credits Dalton, who’s five years older, for helping him with his approach to the game.
“He really helps me with the mental part and gives me advice on things he’s seen in the minor and major leagues that I still haven’t seen yet,” Pompey said. “He said it’s not about your talent because you’re are a talented player. But it’s about what you do with your mindset. If you have a strong mindset and can be confident, you’ll go a long way in this game.
Dalton is an outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and Pompey could soon join him in the professional ranks.
MLB.com ranked Pompey, who’s a junior outfielder at the University of Kentucky, as the 29th-best prospect in its preseason 2018 MLB Draft class rankings.
Pompey previously heard his name called in the 2015 MLB Draft when the Minnesota Twins selected the prep Canadian prospect in the 31st round.
“If I do my thing now, the draft will take care of itself,” he said. “I’m not going to press over it. Only time will tell, and I have to just stay true to myself.”
A switch-hitter, Pompey shows an ability to hit for average and power from both sides of the plate.
Pompey is hitting .331 with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs in 34 games this spring. He’s improved his plate discipline from his freshman year, as he’s struck out 32 times compared to 22 walks this season.
“My hitting is my biggest strength,” Pompey said. “I take a lot of pride in hitting. My parents have always emphasized how important hitting is for me. Knowing that, I’ve always practiced my hitting and made sure that it’s on the top of the game.
“Baseball is more of an offensive game right now, so if you can hit, they will find a place for you in the lineup.”
With June’s MLB Draft quickly approaching, one area professional scouts are questioning is his hitting ability with a wood bat.
After hitting .361 with Kentucky last spring, Pompey posted a .230 average with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games in the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer.
Pompey believes his struggles in the Cape Cod League are due to participating in the College Home Run Derby last July.
“It messed up my swing a little bit,” he said. “I was trying to get back to my normal swing, and I was never able to get back to that in the summer.”
Defensively, Pompey played mostly in right field during his first two seasons of college baseball. This spring, he’s been Kentucky’s starting left fielder.
He has above-average speed and believes he’s capable of playing all three outfield positions at the next level.
“I want to continue to work on my defense, speed and arm strength,” Pompey said. “I am just trying to become a five-tool player and shape myself to be one of the best players in America as well. I just have to keep getting better every day.”
READ: 2018 MLB Draft: Profiles on top prospects
