Travis Clay Lakins Sr.[1] (born June 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.[2] He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Boston Red Sox.
Travis Lakins Sr. | |
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![]() Lakins with the Red Sox in 2019 | |
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: (1994-06-29) June 29, 1994 (age 28) Middletown, Ohio | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 23, 2019, for the Boston Red Sox | |
MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Win–loss record | 4–8 |
Earned run average | 4.84 |
Strikeouts | 75 |
Teams | |
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Lakins attended Franklin High School. Lakins played college baseball for the Ohio State Buckeyes,[3] and in 2014, he pitched a perfect game for the Chillicothe Paints, a collegiate summer baseball team.[4]
The Red Sox selected Lakins in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, signing him for an above-slot bonus of $320,000.[2] Lakins struck out three batters in two shutout innings during his only appearance with the Class A Short Season Lowell Spinners in 2015. He then pitched for the GCL Red Sox, but only in the playoffs.[2] In his brief stint, Lakins showed a quick arm from a three-quarters arm slot, offering a three-pitch mix with a fastball-curveball-changeup combination, with his fastball sitting at 92–94 mph (148–151 km/h) and topping out at 96 with a bit of sink and run. The curveball flashed plus-potential at 75–76 mph (121–122 km/h) with two-plane, tight rotation and hard snap, while the changeup ranged 83–87 mph (134–140 km/h) and also showed plus potential with late dive away from left-handed hitters when down in the zone. He also used a heavy mix of curveballs and changeups both early and behind in counts, showing consistency with the secondaries pitches and refined command and control overall.[5]
In 2016, Lakins was promoted two levels up to the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox. In the month of April, he led the Salem pitching staff with a 3–1 record and a 2.13 ERA in four starts, striking out 26 and walking 10 in 25+1⁄3 innings of work.[2] In early August, Lakins was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation and did not pitch for the rest of the season. He went 6–3 in 19 starts and a relief appearance, featuring a 5.93 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 36 walks in 91 innings.[2]
Lakins spent 2017 with both Salem and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, posting a combined 5–4 record with a 4.21 ERA in 68+1⁄3 innings between both teams.[6] He finished the year rated as the Red Sox' No. 13 prospect, according to MLB.com.[5] Lakins started the 2018 season with Double-A Portland. At the end of July, he was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Overall for the 2018 season, Lakins made 36 appearances, compiling a record of 3–2 with an ERA of 2.32 and three saves.
The Red Sox added Lakins to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[7] Lakins opened the 2019 season with Pawtucket, and on April 23, he was added to Boston's major league active roster for the first time.[8] He made his MLB debut that day, pitching 2+2⁄3 innings against the Detroit Tigers while allowing one run and striking out two.[9] Lakins was optioned to Pawtucket on April 26.[10] He was recalled on May 23 and optioned back on May 29,[11] then recalled on June 12 and optioned back on June 17.[12] Boston next recalled Lakins on August 12, and optioned him back to Pawtucket on August 20.[13] Lakins was recalled to Boston on September 1, when rosters expanded.[14] Overall with the 2019 Red Sox, Lakins appeared in 16 games (three starts), compiling an 0–1 record with 3.86 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 23+1⁄3 innings.
Lakins was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on January 17, 2020.[15]
Lakins was traded on January 21, 2020, to the Chicago Cubs for future considerations.[16] He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on January 31.[17] He was informed of the transaction while on a late-honeymoon cruise with his wife.[18] In 22 appearances for the Orioles in 2020, Lakins pitched to a 2.81 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 25+2⁄3 innings.[19]
On June 29, 2021, Lakins made his first start of the season, but left in the second inning with an apparent injury. On July 3, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow pain, although manager Brandon Hyde described the injury as a “significant elbow injury”.[20] On July 6, Lakins underwent season-ending surgery to fix a recurrent olecranon stress fracture in his right elbow.[21][22] In 24 appearances with the 2021 Orioles prior to his injury, Lakins recorded a 1–4 record and 5.79 ERA. On October 14, Lakins was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[23]
On April 15, 2022, Lakins' contract was selected by the Orioles.[24] He was sent outright on August 31, 2022. He elected free agency on October 6, 2022.
Lakins has been married since 2017;[18] he and his wife have a daughter and a son (Travis Lakins Jr.).[25]
goes by Travis Lakins Sr. after the birth of his son