May 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of third base during the ninth inning of the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. The Twins win 7-2 over the Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Travis appears to be a slightly smaller version of Billy Butler. A stocky first baseman that will not be on the Olympic sprint squad. Travis, now 22-years-old, moved up from Salem A+ to Portland during 2015 and the right-hand hitter didn’t disappoint with a Portland slash of .300/.384/.436 and what draws my attention 33 walks and 34 strikeouts. Sam knows the strike zone.
Travis shuttled off to the Arizona Fall League and continued to hit posting a .344 average, but the power one expects from a first base player has yet to materialize – maybe it will during 2016?
Travis will get his reps at Pawtucket and I will not discount the possibility that he will be in Boston during the core of the season. I didn’t think Shaw would every see a Fenway sunset in 2015 and look what he did?
As with other prospects, a value may exist outside the organization and never discount the possibility of a trade. If Hanley Ramirez shifts to first base successfully that could be – at least temporarily – a block on Travis. But the potential that his bat may suddenly develop some more power could have this prospect skyrocket.