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Red Sox Prospect Watch: The month of May begins

By Mike El-Far

Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis (59) is tagged out by New York Yankees third baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) as he tries to steal second base in the third inning of a baseball game during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis (59) is tagged out by New York Yankees third baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) as he tries to steal second base in the third inning of a baseball game during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Pawtucket Red Sox

While Hernandez has taken advantage of his situation, Sam Travis has not been able to do the same. Travis, the No. 3 prospect in the Red Sox system, has struggled in the first month of 2017. He tore his ACL a little less than a year ago rounding first base, and it seems that the injury has zapped him of some of his production.

Travis is only hitting .219 on the season, which is 50 points lower than his average last year. For those who did not watch Spring Training this year, Travis wowed Red Sox Nation by putting balls in the seats on multiple occasions. It is very clear that playing at the University of Indiana with Kyle Schwarber helped him realize his power potential.

One of the most alarming stats from Travis’ first month is his lack of RBI’s. He currently only has 1 RBI in 18 games, which should cause major concern. It came on a solo home run, his only one this year. As a power hitting first baseman, driving in runs is something that Travis needs to excel at. He is not the best defender in the world, so he needs to rely on his bat in the hopes of breaking the major league roster sooner rather than later.

It seems clear to many that Travis will make his major league debut in September, barring any injuries. Mitch Moreland has been a great free agent signing, and doesn’t seem to be losing his job anytime soon. If Travis keeps struggling, he might have to wait even longer. And if that happens, Dave Dombrowski might have to figure out an alternative for the future of first base at Fenway Park.

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