Breakout Candidates: Travis Shaw

During the 2019 offseason, Shaw (29) joined the Blue Jays on a one year $4 million deal, and is expected to share time between first, third, and the designated hitter role. The former Brewer and Red Sox has five years of major league experience under his belt, and was known as an offensive geared power hitter prior to his 2019 season. He played a key role in Milwaukee’s 2018 playoff run, but wasn’t able to replicate that success in 2019.

2017 — Shaw’s first year as a Brewer — was arguably the best of his career. On the year he hit for a .273 average with a .349 OBP, .513 slugging, 31 home runs, 34 doubles, and 101 RBI, all career highs. Although 2018 wasn’t as good for him, it was still a great year for him as his average sunk to .241 and he only hit 23 home runs, but his OBP remained similar at .345 despite the drop in batting average. He was still a highly relevant player, and one of the best on the team. 2019 was not the same story however.

Without a shred of doubt, 2019 was the worst year of Shaw’s career, and he even agrees himself, saying “Last year was about as bad as you could possibly go” according to Toronto media. Shaw credits an adjustment to his swing early in the season as the main reason for his struggle, suggesting that it was obviously a mistake, and that he spent the rest of the year trying to get back to where he was just a year or two prior. He felt that he had regained his ways by the end of the season, but had already lost the opportunity to prove himself again, as he watched most of the Brewers playoff push from the bench.

Coming to Toronto on a one year deal, Shaw is looking to prove himself worthy of more, and looks to show that 2019 doesn’t represent the player he is. After serious struggles with the Brewers, they would end up optioning him to AAA, where over time he would find his swing and slowly regain his old ways. Over 133 at bats, he managed to hit for a .286 average with a .437 OBP, and a .586 slugging. His OBP and slugging would be career highs for him across all levels, majors, and minors. He also managed to hit 12 home runs and 33 RBI, which would average out to 54 homers and 149 RBI in a 600 at bat season. In spring, Shaw continued to prove himself, as after a slow start, fans began to see the Travis Shaw of old, and it was clear he was feeling better, and playing better as a result. His .214 spring average might not be convincing, but to have actually watched the games, it’s clear this is not a good representation. He was able to hit with authority, and had loud contact off the bat prior to the suspension, and looks to have regained his form.

If Shaw can become half what he was in 2018, Toronto got a great deal. He is a great player to teach the young guns (at 29 he is the oldest position player on the roster), and he will take stress off Guerrero, and Tellez in the field. With a shortened season, a hot streak could go a long way, and on a one year deal, that’s exactly what he’ll be looking to do. After promising signs dating back to mid 2019, Shaw looks like a serious breakout candidate, and a strong signing for the team.