The Braves announced their minor league coaching staffs earlier this week (The Atlanta Journal-Constitutional was among the outlets with the full listing), and one of the many notable names on the list was former Blue Jays infielder Devon Travis, who is joining the staff of the Braves’ Gulf Coast League rookie ball affiliate. The news would seem to indicate that the 30-year-old Travis is ending his playing career after four Major League seasons and seven overall seasons in pro ball.
Originally a 13th-round pick out of Florida State in the 2012 draft, Travis turned some heads in his early days in the Tigers’ farm system, even landing on Baseball America’s top-100 prospect ranking prior to the 2014 season. In an intriguing swap of promising young talents in November 2014, Detroit traded Travis to the Blue Jays for Anthony Gose, and Travis made an immediate impression in his rookie season. Quickly stepping into everyday second base duties for Toronto, Travis hit .304/.361/.498 with eight home runs in 239 plate appearances for the eventual AL East champions, though a shoulder injury ended Travis’ season in late July and prevented him from taking part in the Jays’ push to the ALCS.
Unfortunately, injuries became the story of Travis’ career. Finally returning in 2016 after two different shoulder surgeries, Travis then developed knee problems that hampered the remainder of his playing days. Between the shoulder procedures and surgeries on both knees, Travis ended up playing in only 316 games (all with Toronto) from 2015-18, and hitting .274/.314/.437 with 35 homers over 1246 plate appearances. He hasn’t played at all since the 2018 season, and Travis chose to become a free agent after the Jays outrighted him off their 40-man roster following the 2019 campaign.
Travis embarks on this new phase of his baseball career under the familiar eye of Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos, who brought Travis to Toronto in Anthopoulos’ previous job as the Jays’ GM. We at MLBTR wish Travis all the best in his coaching endeavors.
Perhaps he becomes the next great young manager. seems like the coaching gig is a good idea to get in early nowadays.
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Congratulations to him! One of the greatest guys in the game. Every time I was at a jays game and he was playing he was always talking to fans, signing autographs… made sure everyone had a photo.. even stayed out when the kids were running the bases after the game. Wish nothing but the best for him! The game needs guys like him in it!
I feel like I was just bidding on Travis in my fantasy baseball league.
Really seemed like he was going to be a force for the Jay’s.
Shoulder injuries wasn’t it?
Knee
Thanks.
A shame. Injuries did him in. He was a force in the lineup when he was right. He couldn’t play in the shift for very long. His knees wouldn’t handle it.
Best of luck in his coaching career.
I’m really happy about this. It’s a shame how Travis’ career got derailed but, by all accounts, he’s a standup guy and real student of the game. I hope he really runs with this.
I’m happy he’s moved on and is still in baseball. One of the good guys. It’s too bad he couldn’t stay healthy.
What a middle Infield Toronto could have had if Travis and Tulo could have stayed healthy
Man, it seems like so long ago that he was going to be something, but alas… those hopes are lost. Good to know he’s still in the game; I’d love to see him become a manager.
Wow, good for him. Got a lot of respect for former major leaguers that go into minors coaching. People may not always realize just how little even managers in the minors make, let alone the other coaches. You really have to love the game & enjoy making an impact to be in for it – I really respect that.
When healthy he was quite an offensive contributor for the Jays at 2B. It is too bad injuries shortened his career. He was technically sound as a hitter and that could be a benefit for young Braves prospects.
Toronto turf get to him?
He is seriously one of the best humans you can meet. Always picking people up and making sure they feel appreciated. He will be an amazing coach!! Good luck Travis!
This guy was a clown. Thought he was too big for the game or something when he was doing well. I came across him two times in public. He was an ass to everyone both times.
Speaking of injured Jays of a few years ago… anyone know whatever happened to Brett Lawrence? He disappeared for a while, then I think I heard he had a deal with the Brewers a couple years ago, then disappeared again. I think he had foot problems. Anyone know?