Nice call!mabrowndog said:If the Sox go with a college bat here, hopefully it's Indiana 1B Sam Travis. But I suspect it'll be a HS arm.
Nicemabrowndog said:If the Sox go with a college bat here, hopefully it's Indiana 1B Sam Travis. But I suspect it'll be a HS arm.
Travis bloomed late in his high school career, belting 17 home runs to lead his team to a state runner-up berth. The Reds drafted him in the 40th round but he chose to attend Indiana, where he became a three-year starter. All he has done in three years is hit, though he’s also moved down the defensive spectrum from third to first base. A career .333 hitter with 29 home runs for Indiana, not even a broken hamate in his right hand could slow him down while helping the Hoosiers reach the College World Series in 2013. Travis, who also hit .339 with power in the Cape Cod League in 2012, doesn’t profile well as a 6-foot, 220-pound righthanded-hitting first baseman. Travis’ approach stands out, as he walks as much as he strikes out (which isn’t often) and impresses scouts with his line-drive batting-practice approach. He’s strong enough to drive the ball to all fields and has shown pull power, out-homering teammate Kyle Schwarber this season. A team that drafts Travis is buying a bat, though he is a sure-handed but not flashy defender at first and fringe-average runner.
StuckOnYouk said:A few weeks ago Keith Law said that Travis was a better pure hitting prospect between he and Schwarber, FWIW
Hee Sox Choi said:MaBrownDog, where will someone like Travis start off in the minor leagues?
BosRedSox5 said:He doesn't wear batting gloves? I wonder if he uses Moises Alou's hand hardening liquid. Seriously though, for the Sox to take a short, right handed 1B who is advertised as average defensively, they must really believe in his bat. He's definitely god some power potential.
AlNipper49 said:
Unfortunately my first thought when watching his videos was that of another Lars Anderson. We have to hit on one of those this millenia, right ?
Hee Sox Choi said:MaBrownDog, where will someone like Travis start off in the minor leagues?
BosRedSox5 said:
Couldn't I just be happy for a few hours?
WhewPuffy said:
My first thought was Jeff Bagwell (short RHH corner infielder, vaguely similar batting stance/swing), if it makes you feel better.
BosRedSox5 said:Whew
I think the pick is all about the bat, and the Red Sox need for bats. Travis Shaw is the only age relative quality 1B above short season ball right now. Devers (if he has to move off 3B) and Longhi are long term developmental types, but Sam Travis falls nicely between the two.AlNipper49 said:The other weird thing is that 1B is usually a good place to pivot people to for defensive reasons, but the Sox are pretty freaking stocked at 2B, SS, 3B and C in the upper minors so it's kind of fun to take a flyer on someone who doesn't project strong defensively.
Sam Travis developed into one of the most productive hitters in college baseball at Indiana. Fenway Park, with the famed Green Monster in left field, is regarded as one of the most hitter-friendly professional ballparks.
Sounds like a match made in baseball heaven. At least that’s what Travis and the Boston Red Sox are hoping.
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“I grew up watching baseball on TV and getting an opportunity to play in one of the most historic ballparks is really exciting,” said Travis, an Orland Park resident. “When my name got called, it was a surreal experience. I’m ready to go and start moving on with my baseball career.”
Not really. Anderson was a raw high school draftee who always had worrisome strikeout rates. If I read correctly above, this guy is a good contact hitter with power. Looking forward to seeing how he does.AlNipper49 said:
Unfortunately my first thought when watching his videos was that of another Lars Anderson. We have to hit on one of those this millenia, right ?