Red Sox: Will Sam Travis make the Opening Day roster?
By Tyler Mason
Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis is having a stellar Spring so far. But is it enough to make the Opening Day roster?
As we’re less than two weeks away from from the Boston Red Sox beginning the 2017 season, manager John Farrell has some decisions to make on who will be on the Opening Day roster.
One big question is whether or not first baseman Sam Travis will be joining the rest of the team on a flight to Boston for Opening Day.
So far this Spring, Travis has been doing great. The 23-year-old has a slash of .333/.436/.697, 3 home runs (tied for 1st on the team), and 10 RBI’s (4th most on the team). It is a little surprising with how well Travis is rebounding from tearing his ACL last season.
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When the Red Sox signed Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal, the plan was to have him play first base whenever the Red Sox would face a right-handed starter. And when they were scheduled to face a left-handed starter, they were going to put Hanley Ramirez at first base. But with Ramirez not getting much work in that specific position due to a hurt shoulder, could Travis be taking those duties from him when they’re planning to face a lefty?
We all know the power is there for Travis, and with David Ortiz retiring, the Red Sox could use every ounce of power they can get to at least come close to Big Papi’s contribution in the lineup. The question is if his defense will be ready come Opening Day.
Before undergoing season-ending ACL surgery last year, Travis made 7 errors in 34 games played (264 total chances) while in AAA.
MassLive writer Jen MacCaffrey spoke with John Farrell about Travis and what he needs to work on defensively to make it to the Big Leagues.
"“He’s got to refine defense, there’s no doubt,” Farrell said. “His footwork around the bag, just smoothing some things out defensively.”"
Although Travis’ defense isn’t all there yet, one thing is for sure, his work ethic is unbeatable. MacCaffrey later spoke with third base coach Brian Butterfield on how much he’s been working with Travis and his defensive progress so far this spring.
"“He’s a great worker and he’s gained confidence defensively so there’s been a noticeable difference from last spring training to the end of spring training to even now,” Butterfield said. “We just see the curve going upward so that’s because of his work ethic and he’s always willing to do what it takes to get better, he wants to get better.”"
Ever since Travis tore his ACL last season, he’s had something to prove. Wouldn’t we all?
If Travis were to make the Big League roster and platoon at first base with Moreland, keeping Ramirez as the everyday DH, then this could be scary lineup night in and night out.
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So will Travis make his Big League debut in two weeks? Or will he continue to clean up defensive skills in AAA before his career in Boston begins? Time will only tell with what John Farrell decides to do.