FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Spring training has usually been Sam Travis' time to shine.
In three Grapefruit League seasons, the first baseman has managed to hit a combined .378 with a 1.047 OPS and five homers in 43 games. He has always left the kind of positive impression that would make the big league club feel comfortable integrating the 24-year-old at the next level.
But when talking long-term commitments to Travis at first base in the majors, there might be one roadblock: He might need to start hitting a few more home runs.
In 327 minor league games, the right-handed hitter has only managed 28 homers, hitting six while with Triple-A Pawtucket last season. His highest power output came in 2015, when Travis hit nine home runs between Single-A and Double-A.
Considering the way the game is going, it's something the intense corner infielder has been thinking about.
"I definitely do," said Travis when asked if he had been contemplating the prospects of hitting more homers. "I definitely think of myself as someone who drives the ball, and more importantly drives in runs. Working on my swing this offseason, talking to [Red Sox hitting coach Tim] Hyers a lot, trying to hit the ball and get the ball in the air."
So, was there some sort of solution after talking to Hyers?
"He's mentioned something," said Travis.
Does that energize him?
"It does," Travis said. "I've always tried to hit the ball as hard as I can, hit line-drives and kind of hit it through people. Now I'm just trying to hit it hard in the air.
"You want to use more legs and just focus on the bottom half of the ball. You want to swing through it. You don't want to use your wrist and roll over. It's a lot of your legs. More legs, more follow-through."
According to Travis, the difference will be subtle enough that only those who know his mechanics the best will take notice. But, nonetheless, a change will be there.
"Someone who has seen me swing a lot, they might be able to tell a minor difference," he said. "But I don't think anyone will be able to tell. As long as I'm hitting the ball hard ..."
