Put him in, Red Sox, Travis ready to play
Providence graduate Travis ready for start of spring training with the Red Sox
Providence graduate Sam Travis is eager to start spring training with the Red Sox.
SamTravis is anxious for the baseball season to arrive.
His mind is clear.
His body has never felt better. The 2011 Providence graduate has cut sweets from his diet while increasing his protein intake.
Goodbye, soda. Hello, water. “Iwatch what I eat very carefully,” Travis said.
“Itwas a learning process. If I’m serious aboutmy career, I have to eat properly and stay hydrated.”
The 6-foot, 210-pound Travis said he’s in the best physical and mental shape of his life as he prepares to embark on his sixth season as a professional.
He hopes 2019 includes a stay with the defendingWorld Series champion Boston Red Sox, the organization that drafted the first baseman/outfielder in the second round out of Indiana in 2014.
Travis will need to beat out veteran first basemen Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce or any number of outfield options.
If he doesn’t stick with the Red Sox out of spring training, he intends to make life miserable for opposing pitchers at Class AAA Pawtucket, where he has spent the better part of the past three seasons.
“I’m going to try and dominate one day at a time,” Travis said. “I’m not looking ahead. I’m not looking at the past. I’m all about controlling the moment.
“I’m going to prepare and be ready for whatever (the organization) throws atme.”
The right-handed-hitting slugger will be ready for whatever opposing pitchers throwat him aswell.
Last year, therewas a point at Pawtucket where Travis felt lost in the batter’s box.
In the middle of a slump, he received advice from every direction, which only deepened his hittingwoes.
“Therewas aweek where I was striking out three or four times a game,” Travis said. “I had everyone inmy ear telling me what to do. Iwas getting caught in the power and launch angle stuff. Iwas going up there trying to hit homers.”
The resultwas a batting average that dipped below.200.
Itwas time for Travis to return to basics.
“Finally, I just said tomyself, ‘If I’m going to struggle, I’m going to strugglemyway,’” he said. “Iwent back tomy old ritual. Go up there and try to hit the ball hard.”
Travis rebounded to finish with a .258 average.
He finished with eight homers in 361 at-bats. He also understands a corner infielder/ outfielder is expected to hit the ball out of the park.
“I can’t get caught up in hitting homers,” Travis said. “When I get into a groove, the homers come in bunches.”
In the minors, Travis has always hit for average: .316 in his first season, .307 in his second, .272 in his third and .270 in 2017.
Hewas rewarded with his first big league promotion in 2017 and another one last season when his bat heated up.
Travis has learned the game is as much mental as it is physical.
“It’s more of a chess game,” he said. “Pitchers pitch with a plan. They’ll throwa ball (instead of a strike) on purpose to set you up.”
Travis hit .504 with 17 homers and 75 RBIs while leading Providence to a Class 4A state runner-up finish.
Hewas a monster. One of the best I’ve ever covered. Thatwas in 2011.
Eight years later, Travis will depart for spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 1— weeks ahead of the mandated Feb. 17 reporting date for position players.
He can’t wait.
“I’m ready to go,” Travis said. “Be me and have fun playing baseball for a living.”