Scouting Report: Devon Travis

Name: Devon Travis

Age: 22, born 2/21/1991

Pre-Professional: Starting 2nd baseman at Florida State University

Drafted: 13th round, 2012 draft.

Stats:

2012 (With Class A Short Season-Connecticut): 25 Games, 93 AB, .280/.352/.441/.793. 2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 17 R, 8 BB, 10 K, 3 SB.

2013 (With Class A-West Michigan thru 5/2/13): 25 G, 93 AB, .344/.407/.527/.934. 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 21 R, 10 BB, 10 K, 3 SB

Injury History: Injured during first season with Connecticut. Missed 2nd half of season. Returned well in time for spring training; started season on time; no health concerns so far in 2013.

BBP (Bare Bones Projection): Solid-average major league 2nd baseman. #2 hitter.

Basis of Report:

-Personal Observation: (College World Series 2012, West Michigan Whitecaps 2013)

-Compilation of other Scouts' Opinions

-Film Study

Body:

Smaller height-wise. Listed at 5'9", that seems about right. Solidly built. Listed at 183, which also seems pretty accurate. Strong, thick lower half. Powerful legs. Good build, but needs to remain that way. Any more weight (of the bad variety) is probably a bad thing.

Hit:

Love his hands...gets the bat to the zone quickly and the barrel remains in the zone for a good amount of time...drives his back side with authority...does not expand the zone...susceptible to good breaking balls in the lower part of the zone right now...shortens up in 2 strike counts...hands allow him to get to inside heat...watched him barrel a 97 MPH fastball on the inner third and lace it into RCF...goes the other way with authority...good contact hitter overall...certainly think he could hit .260-.270 in the major leagues with solid OBP skills...has enough pop to not just be a singles hitter...overall looks the part of a #2 hitter (by old school rules)...can work on pitch recognition some more...looks too advanced for the MidWest League...doesn't profile as impact bat, but solid-average nonetheless

Grade: 40/50

Power:

Saw him in batting practice...has HR pop to the pull field, pure gap power to all fields...can lace line drives all over the field, but doesn't have the strength, bat speed, or loft to play up for significant HR potential...hits the ball hard, but more on lines than on lofts over the fence...won't hit for double-digit HR's in the majors, but I could see 20+ doubles...more power may come as the hit tool advances, but I still think he's a 5-8 HR per year max guy

Grade: 30/35

Run:

He's slow...not a plodder, but a below-average runner...not very good home to first...poor acceleration...can move a bit when he gets up to speed, so 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home times aren't too bad...won't be a base clogger, but speed isn't really a part of his game...clocked him at 4.50, 4.35, and 4.42 from home to 1st, which are all below-average for a RHH...quick feet, but that helps him in the field more so than when he's running...may slow down eventually as well.

Grade: 40/35

Defense:

Really like him at 2B....his hands are outstanding in the field...solid range to both sides...just vacuums everything up that he can get to...quick feet allow range to play up, and he comes in on balls well...really quick exchange of ball from glove to hand...firm, smooth feeds to 2B on double plays...heady ballplayer...seems to always be in right spot...lack of elite range or ability to play other positions limits his profile.

Grade: 55/55

Arm:

Excellent arm for 2B...can make all the throws...not a hose, but solid-average nonetheless...can make the pivot at 2B and get off a good throw with ease...has the arm to make plays ranging to his right...good, consistent release point...above-average overall.

50/50

Summation:

Overall, I think Travis can be a solid-average overall major league player. I think he has the approach and bat skills to hit .260-.270 in the major leagues with good on base percentages as well. Has enough pop to not have empty batting averages. Looks like a perfect #2 hitter to me. Controls the bat well. Plays solid-average defense at 2B with solid arm. Looks like he's too advanced for A ball, and I don't think it'll be long before we see him move up to Lakeland. Could be a relatively quick mover due to polish. Not an overly high ceiling (average major league regular), but I think his floor is still that of a good org player.

MLB ETA: 2015

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