Drafted in the 16th round (486th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010 (signed for $150,000).
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Switch-hitting outfielder Pompey emerged late as one of Canada's top prep prospects. Another national team alumnus, he stands 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds. He has a wiry build but is athletic with deceptive strength. He has quick hands and caught up to former big leaguer Mike MacDougal and an Astros prospect throwing 100 mph during the team's tour through Florida this spring. He's a solid-average runner and some scouts see him as a tweener--not fast enough for center field and not strong enough for a corner. If he doesn't sign, he'll head to NAIA St. Francis (Ind.).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The 17-year-old Pompey was one of the youngest players in the 2010 draft and signed for $150,000. He had something of a storybook season in 2014, playing at four different levels and reaching the major leagues. A plus athlete, Pompey is a premium defender. His gap-closing defense has drawn plus-plus grades from scouts. He offers an above-average arm that could play in right field. His speed is at least plus and is capable of the occasional plusplus time out of the box. He is a smart, efficient basestealer who can impact games on the bases. The switch-hitter could become an above-average hitter who draws walks at an above-average clip throughout his career while producing above-average contact rates. His quick-twitch athleticism translates to the batter's box with natural whip and bat speed. He will likely hit 10-15 home runs annually with lots of extra-base hits. Pompey's defensive and baserunning prowess gives him a high floor and the development of his bat could give him a well-rounded skill set capable of contributing in nearly every phase of the game.
The Ontario native wasn't yet 17 years and six months old when the Jays drafted him in 2010, and was likely the youngest player selected in the draft. A plus athlete, he has started to turn his tools into baseball skills. His carrying tool is his potentially-plus center-field defense, and he won the minor league Gold Glove Award for center fielders last season. He's an above-average runner with gliding strides who ranges well into the gaps and has good instincts, and his arm has improved to a plus after grading as below-average as an amateur. Pompey has an athletic, sleek and defined physique and is growing into his natural strength, and his speed could allow him to steal 25-30 bases a year. While the switch-hitter continues to improve his bat, he'll probably be no better than an average hitter, though his strike zone knowledge and discipline could boost his on-base skills, as he walked in 12 percent of his plate appearances. He has gap power and could hit 30 or more doubles annually, but his swing path will likely produce below-average home run power. Pompey, who will likely begin 2014 at Dunedin, has the athleticism, makeup and tools to be an everyday big leaguer at a premium position.
Minor League Top Prospects
Pompey's rapid rise through the Blue Jays system in 2014--from high Class A Dunedin to the big leagues--was matched by his equally quick descent in the first half of 2015. The Ontario native began the year as Toronto's regular center fielder but struggled in the spotlight, hitting just .193 before being sent down to Buffalo after a month. He didn't take the demotion well, hit just 19-for-91 (.209) in four weeks, frustrated observers by not putting his skills to use and got a reality check with another demotion to Double-A New Hampshire. Pompey worked his way back to Buffalo in mid-July and turned his season around. IL batting champ Matt Hague took Pompey under his wing and taught him to keep a notebook on pitchers' tendencies. He worked on taking better advantage of his above-average speed by bunting and driving the ball instead of swinging for the fences. Pompey still needs to improve his reads and routes in the outfield, but he can use his speed to make up for mistakes. He has a slightly above-average arm, but sometimes struggles with accuracy due to poor footwork.
Pompey's story seems almost too good to be true for the Blue Jays. He's a Canadian athlete from Ontario who plays a premium position and has started to come into his power at the plate. Signed for $150,000, he's already proved a bargain, finishing his season in the major leagues. Pompey produces from both sides of the plate, though scouts liked his lefthanded swing better. He should hit for average with some feel for the barrel, improved pitch recognition and plus speed to help him leg out extra hits. Pompey really makes his mark defensively, with scouts giving double-plus and even 80 grades (on the 20-80 scale) for his center field play. He closes on flyballs like an NFL cornerback and has instincts that help his speed play, both on defense and on the basepaths, where he's an effective, efficient basestealer.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2014
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2014
Rated Best Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2014
Career Transactions
Salt Lake Bees released CF Dalton Pompey.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to Salt Lake Bees from Rocket City Trash Pandas.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to Rocket City Trash Pandas.
Los Angeles Angels signed free agent CF Dalton Pompey to a minor league contract.
Jackson Generals released OF Dalton Pompey.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Jackson Generals.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent OF Dalton Pompey to a minor league contract.
RF Dalton Pompey elected free agency.
Buffalo Bisons activated RF Dalton Pompey from the 7-day injured list.
Buffalo Bisons placed RF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day injured list.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RF Dalton Pompey outright to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays activated RF Dalton Pompey from the 60-day injured list.
Toronto Blue Jays designated RF Dalton Pompey for assignment.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to GCL Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays transferred RF Dalton Pompey from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Concussion
Toronto Blue Jays placed RF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2019. Concussion
Toronto Blue Jays recalled RF Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons activated RF Dalton Pompey from the 7-day disabled list.
Buffalo Bisons placed RF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 12, 2018.
LF Dalton Pompey assigned to Buffalo Bisons from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
LF Dalton Pompey assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to GCL Blue Jays.
Buffalo Bisons placed LF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day disabled list.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned LF Dalton Pompey to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned LF Dalton Pompey to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned LF Dalton Pompey to Buffalo Bisons.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays sent CF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays placed CF Dalton Pompey on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, 2018. Right wrist sprain.
Toronto Blue Jays activated CF Dalton Pompey from the 60-day disabled list.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays sent OF Dalton Pompey on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays transferred CF Dalton Pompey from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Concussion.
Toronto Blue Jays placed CF Dalton Pompey on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to March 30, 2017. Concussion.
Toronto Blue Jays activated CF Dalton Pompey.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned CF Dalton Pompey to the minor leagues.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled CF Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons activated CF Dalton Pompey from the 7-day disabled list.
Buffalo Bisons placed CF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day disabled list.
Dalton Pompey changed number to .
Toronto Blue Jays optioned CF Dalton Pompey to Buffalo Bisons.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled CF Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to Buffalo Bisons from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned CF Dalton Pompey to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of Dalton Pompey from Buffalo Bisons.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to Buffalo Bisons from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats activated CF Dalton Pompey from the 7-day disabled list.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats placed CF Dalton Pompey on the 7-day disabled list.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats activated CF Dalton Pompey from the temporarily inactive list.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats placed OF Dalton Pompey on the temporarily inactive list.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Dunedin Blue Jays.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from Lansing Lugnuts.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
CF Dalton Pompey assigned to MID East Division All-Stars.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Bluefield Blue Jays.
Dalton Pompey assigned to Bluefield Blue Jays from Vancouver Canadians.
Dalton Pompey roster status changed by Vancouver Canadians.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Vancouver Canadians from Bluefield Blue Jays.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
Dalton Pompey assigned to Bluefield Blue Jays from GCL Blue Jays.
Dalton Pompey roster status changed by GCL Blue Jays.
OF Dalton Pompey assigned to GCL Blue Jays from Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays signed OF Dalton Pompey.
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