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MLB Scouts Should Pump The Brakes On The Sam Travis - Paul Goldschmidt Comparisons

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- You know who used to swing the bat like Red Sox prospect Sam Travis? Lou Gehrig.

I may or may not have been momentarily possessed by baseball's version of Tommy Heinsohn there. But the 22-year-old Travis has certainly had a great spring, batting .536 with two home runs and a team-best 13 RBI in 17 spring training games. That has led one major league scout to compare Travis to Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, according to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network.

Goldschmidt, 26, has emerged as arguably the best all-around first baseman in baseball. Just five seasons into his major league career, he has made three All-Star teams, won two gold gloves, and finished second in National League MVP voting twice. Last season, he finished fifth in the NL in home runs with 33, second in RBI with 110, and first in intentional walks with 29. He finished tied for third in all of baseball in WAR with 8.8, behind only Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. He also plays strong defense at first.

So, needless to say, Red Sox fans sure hope this scout is right about Travis.

However Travis' development turns out, he will need to start the 2016 season in the minor leagues. And I also remember hearing former Red Sox prospect Lars Anderson ("Who?" Exactly.) compared to Justin Morneau. ... So, as far as "Sam Travis = Goldschmidt" is concerned, I'll believe it when I see it.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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