Sam Travis Batting Seventh For Red Sox In Major League Debut
BOSTON (CBS) -- Sam Travis was getting ready to call it a night on Monday evening when his phone rang.
After that call, the Red Sox' No. 3 prospect had a tough time sleeping. You can't really blame him though, as the voice on the other end told him he was heading to the Major Leagues.
"It was a surreal feeling, something you've been working for your whole life. Something pretty amazing that I can't put into words," Travis told reporters in the Boston clubhouse on Tuesday regarding his call-up. "I called my mom and gave her the news. She didn't really believe it at first, but she was excited."
Travis' family was at Boston's 11-6 win on Tuesday night, and they'll get a chance to see him in action on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old will make his debut against Rangers lefty Martin Perez, batting seventh and playing first base.
Travis brings some impressive Triple-A stats to the Boston lineup, hitting .286/.353/.452 with four home runs and 14 RBIs over 33 games with the PawSox this season. His numbers were even more impressive against lefties with a .414 average and a pair of homers.
He said on Tuesday that he won't let the moment get too big for him in the majors, and is going to keep things simple when he steps in the batter's box.
"You just have to focus on winning and do what you can; stick to your approach and stick to your plan. Do what you do and don't try to do anything more," he said. "I like to think I can hit, but whatever the team needs to win. When my name gets called upon, I'm going to do what I can."
In 80 games at the Triple-A level, Travis hit .278 with 26 homers, 67 doubles and 165 RBIs. He was a second-round pick (67th overall) by Boston in the 2014 MLB Draft.
