Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Travis Shaw
The BoSox Injection staff reflects on the 2016 season by grading each member of the Boston Red Sox based on expectations for them entering the season.
I’m Chance Puckett, an avid Red Sox fan out of a small town in eastern North Carolina. This is my first article with BoSox Injection, so I want to lead with saying thank you to the guys at FanSided, and here at BoSox Injection for the opportunity. Also, thanks to you guys, the readers, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Now, let’s get started on Travis Shaw. During spring training, it was announced that Shaw would start over the man making $16,500,000 more than him, Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval could have possibly taken over at some point in the year, but a shoulder injury caused his season to be shortened just one week into May.
Shaw, who was behind Mike Napoli at first base before Napoli was dealt to Texas, was moved over to the hot corner when it was announced that Hanley Ramirez would take over at first. As a rookie last season, Shaw hit an impressive .270/.327/.487, and was a shimmering light of hope in what was a disappointing 78-84 season. Shaw came into the 2016 season with high hopes, especially after earning the job as everyday third baseman over Sandoval. However, things didn’t go as planned.
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In April, Shaw hit .314/.385/.500 with 11 extra base hits, through just 24 games. But, May and June were not kind to “The Mayor of Ding-Dong City.” After beginning the season on a tear, Shaw’s average dropped .100 over the next two months. Posting an underwhelming .214/.277/.310 through the end of June.
The season got better for Shaw, but it certainly didn’t live up to expectations. Shaw ended the season hitting .242/.306/.421, with a semi-impressive 34 doubles. Shaw’s, as well as Boston’s final at-bat of the season, eerily resembled his struggles during the regular season. Shaw popped out to end the year, capping off a disappointing playoff run.
While it was certainly a disappointing season for Shaw, hopefully this was just a “sophomore slump” and he’ll go on to be a real liability at third base within the next couple of seasons.
Grade: C-
Next: Report Cards: Mookie Betts
What’s Next
A lot of people are making the plea for Yoan Moncada or Brock Holt to take over the spot at third base. I think this was just an off year for Shaw. When Shaw is hot, he’s one of the most reliable hitters on the team. However, the alternative to that is when he’s off, he’s one of the most useless. I do think Moncada will eventually be called up and will see time, but at least for next year, I believe Shaw will stay at the top of the depth chart.