Jays manager talks up Travis
Gibbons insists young infielder has potential to become one of MLB’s top hitters
DUNEDIN — Blue Jays manager John Gibbons often confuses writers with his Texas good old boy jargon and his home spun witticisms.
But his words were loud and clear to everyone on Saturday.
Gibbons let it be known that he believes the Jays’ young second baseman, Devon Travis, has a chance to be one of the best hitters in all of Major League baseball.
And he said that without worrying about putting too much pressure on the 25-year-old infielder who is coming back from a knee injury.
“When I first saw him when we first traded for him (Nov. 12, 2014), I thought he was strictly a line-drive guy,” said Gibbons. “But you guys have seen him, too, he hits some home runs a long way. And he’ll drive in some runs. He’ll be a high-average guy that, shoot, he can do a lot of things. He can hit those gaps.
“I think if he stays healthy, he’s got a chance to be one of the better hitters in baseball, I really do. For a young kid, he’s got such a great approach. He uses the whole field and he’s strong. It’s a compact body. Yeah, he’s got the chance to be really, really good.”
Travis was somewhat taken aback when told about his manager’s comments.
“Man, that’s so cool to hear,” said the native of West Palm Beach, Fla. “To me it doesn’t really make sense. I come to the park every day and I try to get better. I try to learn from these guys. Without guys like (Jose) Bautista and (Josh) Donaldson and Eddie (Encarnacion), the things they’ve taught me over these years, and Tulo (Troy Tulowitzki), I feel like I wouldn’t be half the hitter I am now. I’ve got a lot of work to do but hearing that coming from someone like Gibby, who’s seen so many hitters come through here, that’s real special to me.”
The key for Travis to reach that potential, of course, is try to find the Fountain of Health. Since joining the Jays, Travis has been plagued with injuries, particularly to his left shoulder, which required season-ending surgery in 2015.
Last season, he hit .300 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI in 101 games and played in the Wild Card Game and the first game of the AL Division Series, but missed the remainder of the ALDS with a bone bruise in his right knee.
He played in the first game of the AL Championship Series, but left in the fifth inning after re-aggravating his knee injury and was removed from the ALCS roster.
On Nov. 18, he underwent right knee surgery to remove a small flap of cartilage and while he still isn’t 100 per cent, the hope is he’ll be ready for opening day. GM Ross Atkins said at this point, the healing of the bone bruise is what’s standing between Travis and being in full health.
“The little victories, that’s what I’m telling myself. It’s getting there though,” said Travis. “I think the biggest thing that (the training staff ) try to remind me is just to be smart. It’s early. I’m always ‘go go go’ and trying to push the envelope and sometimes you can end up in bad situations like I ended it up in. The biggest thing they’ve preached to me is just take it day by day, there’s no rush.”
Gibbons said that ideally, Travis would be the club’s every day leadoff hitter. Or he could bat ninth. Travis said he’s happy either way.
“I’m either hitting in front of the leadoff hitter or in front of Donaldson, so I’m cool with that,” he said.
Earlier in the week, veteran shortstop Tulowitzki said how much he was looking forward to helping Travis improve his defence this year. For his part, Travis said being able to work with a two-time Gold Glove winner is a dream come true.
“Having the opportunity to play with that guy is unbelievable. He’s so intense. Every single day I learn something new from him,” said Travis.
Travis said he’s constantly amazed at how hard Tulowitzki works.
“We went out and took ground balls the other day and he did more work and he was sweating harder than I was,” said Travis with a laugh. “He’s intense man. It’s crazy to see. It’s motivating.
“His biggest thing is, every move you make is calculated,” added Travis, when asked what Tulowitzki has taught him.
“Just the little things, man. He makes the throw and it’s a hair off the first baseman’s chest and he has to stretch his glove a little bit to the left, and he’s (ticked off ). That’s why he’s the best at what he does. I’m trying to continually to learn from him.”