Blue Jays: Can Devon Travis rebound in 2019?

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis was finally healthy in 2018, however, statistically it was not a season to remember, can Travis rebound in 2019?

Devon Travis saw action in a career-high 103 games last season but unfortunately, that only transpired into was a 0.6 WAR for the 27-year old. Travis may be in jeopardy of losing playing time at the keystone sack if he does not get out of the gate on a high note in 2019.

Travis was optioned to the minors last season after a disastrous start to the campaign, once he was recalled, he righted the ship back to mediocrity. Devo finished the season hitting .232/.275/.381 with 14 doubles and 11 home runs in 378 plate appearances. In 2017, Travis knocked out 18 doubles in just 50 games between stints on the disabled list.

Steamer Projections anticipates Travis will improve in 2019 but not back to the norms we once expected from the second sacker. Steamer projects Travis will hit .264/.305/.424 with a career-high 12 homers and a 1.1 WAR.

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The pressure will be on Travis to perform as there are a plethora of young middle infielders honing their craft in the minors. It appears that the Blue Jays will open the season with Travis and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as the double play combination up the middle but that could change if Travis stumbles in April.

Eric Sogard, Brandon Drury, Richard Urena could all be on the major league roster while Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette will be chomping at the bit to bust into the show.

There was speculation earlier this offseason that Travis could be a candidate for designation as he is projected to earn $2.4 million this upcoming season. Travis has the potential to be a top of the order hitter if he can somehow find a way to rekindle that lost offensive magic.

For now, it appears he may just be a placeholder for Bichette or Biggio unless he can rebound in 2019.