Travis Shaw, Infielder


Date of Birth: 4/16/1990
Birthplace: Washington Court House, Ohio
College: Kent State University

Travis Shaw, infielder, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2011. He played in their minor league system from 2011 through 2014. During that time, he had 423 hits, 108 doubles, 64 home runs, 250 RBIs, and 378 strikeouts to 250 walks in 444 games. Defensively, as a first baseman, he made 221 assists, 279 double plays, 2,830 putouts, and 27 errors in 341 games.

Shaw played in 65 games with the Red Sox in 2015. He finished the season with 62 hits, 13 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .274 batting average. Defensively, as a first baseman in 55 games, he made 36 assists, 50 double plays, 419 putouts, and 3 errors and he had a .993 fielding percentage.

Shaw had his first full season in the major leagues in 2016, playing in 145 games with the Red Sox. He finished the season with 116 hits, 34 doubles, 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, and a .242 batting average. Defensively, as a third baseman in 105 games, he made 197 assists, 20 double plays, 76 putouts, and 16 errors. He also played 50 games at first base and one game in left field. In the postseason, he had one hit in two at-bats in one game.

Shaw was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on December 6, 2016. He had a strong 2017 season, finishing with 147 hits, 34 doubles, 31 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 101 RBIs, 138 strikeouts to 60 walks, and a .273 batting average in 144 games. Defensively, as the Brewers' third baseman in 143 games, he made 255 assist, 90 putouts, and 9 errors.

Shaw batted .241 in 152 games in 2018. He finished the season with 120 hits, 23 doubles, 32 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 106 strikeouts to 78 walks. Defensively, as the Brewers' third baseman in 107 games, he made 168 assists, 19 double plays, 66 putouts, and 10 errors. In the postseason, he had 8 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, and 2 RBIs in 30 at-bats in 10 games. He struck out 10 times and walked 4 times, and he had a .267 batting average.

Shaw spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right wrist strain. He also played in the minors for part of the season. He batted .157 with 36 hits in 86 games with the Brewers. Defensively, as a third baseman in 71 games, he made 116 assists, 27 putouts, and 3 errors.

Shaw became a free agent on December 2, 2019. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 30th. He played in 50 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 39 hits, 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 17 RBIs, 50 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a .239 batting average. Defensively, he played 14 games at first base and 37 games at third base. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 4 at-bats in 1 game.

Shaw elected free agency on December 2, 2020. He returned to the Brewers on a minor league contract on February 23, 2021. The Red Sox claimed him off waivers on August 15, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 44 hits, 39 RBIs, 68 strikeouts to 24 walks, and a .200 batting average in 56 games with the Brewers and 28 games with the Red Sox. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 5 at-bats in 5 games.

Shaw became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Red Sox on March 18, 2022. He again elected free agency on May 1st.

Career batting statistics for Shaw through 2021 include:

  • 726 games played
  • 563 hits
  • 127 doubles
  • 114 home runs
  • 366 RBIs
  • 643 strikeouts to 275 walks
  • .239 batting average
Career fielding statistics for Shaw at third base through 2021 include:

  • 519 games played
  • 890 assists
  • 307 putouts
  • 45 errors
  • .964 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Shaw's father, Jeff Shaw, was a successful relief pitcher/closer in the major leagues from 1990 through 2001. He finished his career with a 3.54 ERA, a 34-54 record, and 203 saves in 633 games.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Travis Shaw
ESPN - Travis Shaw
Baseball Reference - Travis Shaw