http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/rich-thompson-and-the-mlb-dream/ This is a great read, if you have the time. For those of you who haven't heard, Thompson last played in the majors with Kansas City in 2004. He notched one plate appearance and grounded into a double play. Now, after 7 years of toiling in the high minors, the Rays desperately needed an OF to start against the Red Sox. They called Philadelphia and traded for Thompson, and a few hours later he started, collected his first MLB hit, an RBI, a HBP, and 2SB's. I always wonder how some guys like Thompson don't get a chance as a 5th OF at some point in their career. His batting lines from AA and AAA are pretty much all slightly to moderately above average; he hits for a very high batting average and stole 48 bases to just 4 CS last season for the Phillies' AAA affiliate.