Travis Shaw, a former MLB infielder, announced his retirement from the game on Twitter on Monday. In each of the previous eight seasons, the left-handed batter performed at the highest level possible. Shaw played with the Red Sox, Brewers, and Blue Jays during portions of eight seasons in the major leagues.
To the game of baseball, Thank you! 💙 pic.twitter.com/M2aBpppx9G
— Travis Shaw (@travis_shaw21) January 16, 2023
For all time. In his early career, Shaw, a 237-hitter, displayed remarkable power, belting 63 home runs with the Brewers between the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He has hit 114 home runs in 733 MLB games and 2,690 plate appearances throughout his career. In his statement, the 32-year-old Shaw stated that
“For the last eight years, I’ve been blessed to live out my childhood dreams of playing Major League Baseball. But today, that dream comes to an end! 12 years ago, being a 9th-round pick, I would never have imagined what this game provided me. The memories will last a lifetime. To everyone that made an impact on my career (the list is endlessly long), I will forever be indebted to you! As this chapter closes, the only two words that come to mind is THANK YOU!”
Travis Shaw indicated that he was selected in the ninth round to enter the professional ranks in 2011. The Red Sox selected him from Kent State, and he signed for $110,000. Within a few seasons, he started to show up in the bottom half of Baseball America’s list of the top 30 prospects in the Boston organization. He hit well in the minors and made his MLB debut in May 2015 at the age of 25. As a rookie, he made an immediate impact, slashing.270/.327/.487 with 13 home runs in 65 games.
Travis Shaw’s MLB performance for various teams
Shaw got a good look at Boston’s 2016 team as a result. To give Travis Shaw, the hot corner, Pablo Sandoval had shoulder surgery and missed the majority of that season. In 530 plate appearances, he managed to keep his rookie form, hitting 242/.306/.421. The Sox sent Tyler Thornburg, a reliever, to Milwaukee the following winter in exchange for Shaw.
The Brew Crew promptly established Shaw as their starting third baseman as a result of the deal. He adapted quickly to the good hitting conditions in Milwaukee, hitting at least 30 home runs in each of his first two seasons. Between 2017 and 2018, he hit 63 long balls in total, compiling a line of 258/.347/.498 with an impressive 11.6% walk rate. Shaw participated in a little over half of the team’s contests in 2019, but his batting line dropped to.157/.281/.270.
Travis Shaw then established himself as a bench hitter and depth corner baseman. Before starting the 2021 season in Milwaukee, he spent the truncated 2020 season with the Blue Jays. He struggled during his second stint with the Brewers, and thanks to waivers, he returned to Boston. Shaw played in 28 games for the Sox toward the end of the ’21 season, showing a fleeting glimmer of his best work.
During the lockout, he re-signed on a minor-league contract and was named to the Opening Day roster. Early in the previous season, Travis Shaw participated in seven games but failed to reach base in 19 at-bats. He entered free agency in May after going unclaimed on waivers, and he has no intention of looking for new employment.
Travis Shaw participated in 733 games in the big leagues. He batted in just under 2700 plate appearances.366 runs batted in, 310 runs scored, 114 home runs, 127 doubles, and a.237/.319/.437 slash line Travis Shaw recorded double-digit home run totals twice and had the aforementioned two 30-homer seasons. According to wRC+, his career offensive output was roughly league-average.
Travis Shaw’s career was assessed by FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference at about eight wins above replacement, with the majority of that value coming from his productive first two seasons in Milwaukee. Shaw has had a successful playing career, and MLBTR wishes him the best in his retirement.
Travis Shaw’s career was assessed by FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference at about eight wins above replacement, with the majority of that value coming from his productive first two seasons in Milwaukee. Shaw has had a successful playing career, and MLBTR wishes him the best in his retirement.