Boston Red Sox: Sam Travis to make MLB debut against Rangers
Boston Red Sox prospect Sam Travis has been on fire for Triple-A Pawtucket, now he gets to show what he can do for the big club.
It’s been a long journey for Sam Travis, but the Boston Red Sox prospect will make his MLB debut Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
Travis, who was promoted on Tuesday, will play first base when the team take on the Texas Rangers in game 2 of the three-game series. The call-up comes just as Travis was in the midst of a hot streak for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
His promotion also comes during a time when the team needs a jolt on offense. Although the team scored 11 runs against the Rangers, the team has struggled to provide consistent offense. Travis is not expected to be a savior, but any energy he brings could add some motivation to the team as a whole.
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After playing pretty well offensively in spring training, Travis was sent back to the minors. Following a slow April, he has been on fire, raising his average from .232 to .286. His OPS has also risen from .656 to .805. Red Sox manager John Farrell the timing could be just right for the rookie.
"“This is a guy that’s got a nose to hit,” Farrell said, via the Boston Herald. “He’s got some instincts, he’s got some batspeed, he’s got some strength in the bat. In spring training he has handled every fastball that’s come his way. Of late, we’ve got a guy here that has been on a good little run the way he’s been swinging the bat, particularly against left-handed pitching. A chance to maybe capitalize on some of that momentum right now and expose him to this level. What we take way from the Spring Trainings he’s been with us is that he’s a hard-nosed player, aggressive and you like the presence he has when he’s on the baseball field.”"
Travis will bat seventh Wednesday night against Rangers lefty Martin Perez.
Hanely not on first
The main reason for the Sam Travis promotion was to provide some depth at first base and provide a right-handed option at the position in the lineup.
Left-handed hitter Mitch Moreland has been playing very well for the team. But, to give him a day off here and there, the team needed another option.
Why?
Because Hanely Ramirez has only started one game at first base all season and is not expected to make any starts any time soon. Having Travis up as a backup allows Ramirez to remain at DH. It seems as though he is destined to become the team’s solution to replacing David Ortiz at the position.
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