Travis Jankowski’s career began as a San Diego Padres player in 2015, where he played for four seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2019.
However, his time with the Reds was not characterized by extensive game time but rather by limited appearances as a pinch runner.
We will discuss the circumstances surrounding Jankowski’s trade to the Reds in greater detail.
Trade Details
After the 2019 season, Travis Jankowski was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The trade occurred on November 2, 2019, in exchange for international pool money. The San Diego Padres, Jankowski’s previous team, made the trade with the Reds.
The Reds immediately optioned Jankowski to their alternate training site. Jankowski would spend most of the 2020 season at the Reds’ alternate training site, but he would also make occasional appearances in the major leagues as a pinch runner.
In total, Jankowski appeared in six games for the Reds during the 2020 season, all as a pinch runner. He did not record a hit or an at-bat during his limited time in the majors.
The trade that brought Jankowski to the Reds was a relatively minor transaction. The Reds sent undisclosed amounts of international pool money to the Padres in exchange for Jankowski. International pool money is a commodity that can be traded between major league teams.
Each team is allotted a certain amount of international pool money each season, which they can use to sign international prospects. However, teams can also trade this money to other teams if they have excess or need more.
Jankowski had spent his entire career up to that point with the San Diego Padres. He was a former first-round pick of the team in the 2012 MLB Draft. In six seasons with the Padres, Jankowski recorded a .238 batting average, 11 home runs, and 53 stolen bases in 288 games played.
After the 2019 season, Travis Jankowski was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for international pool money.
The Reds optioned him to their alternate training site for most of the 2020 season, but he made occasional appearances in the major leagues as a pinch runner.
The San Diego Padres were the team that traded Jankowski to the Reds, and he had spent his entire career up to that point with the Padres.
Minor League Assignment
Alternate Training Site
The alternate training site was established by Major League Baseball during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was used as a place to develop and train minor league players as well as keep major league players ready for potential call-ups.
It was essentially a minor league or spring training facility used by major league teams throughout the season. The alternate training site allowed teams to keep up to 60 players there, including up to 20 non-roster invitees.
Timeline of Jankowski’s Minor League Assignment
After the 2019 season, Travis Jankowski was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. During the shortened 2020 season, due to COVID-19, Jankowski was optioned to the alternate training site for most of the season. He made occasional appearances as a pinch runner for the Reds during his time there.
Jankowski was re-signed by the Reds for the 2021 season and began the season at the alternate training site. He was eventually called up to the major leagues in May but was designated for assignment in June and was ultimately released.
Statistics During His Minor League Assignment
During his time at the alternate training site for the Reds in 2020, Jankowski did not accumulate any statistics as it was not considered official competition.
In his minor league career, Jankowski has a .286 batting average, .369 on-base percentage, and 203 stolen bases in 598 games.
Despite his solid minor league track record, Jankowski has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the major leagues, with a career .238/.315/.313 slash line in 336 games.
Major League Appearances
Number of Major League Appearances in the 2020 Season:
Travis Jankowski, in his first season with the Cincinnati Reds, made 8 appearances as a pinch-runner during the abbreviated 2020 Major League Baseball season.
After being optioned to the Reds’ alternate training site for most of the season, Jankowski was used sparingly in the big leagues and had just one at-bat in 2020, during which he struck out.
Role on the Team
Jankowski’s role on the team was primarily as a pinch-runner, as he was brought on to provide speed on the basepaths and potentially score game-winning runs.
He played in just 3.3% of the Reds’ games in 2020, primarily in situations where the Reds were looking for a steal or to score from a base hit or sacrifice fly.
Performance During His Major League Appearances
While Jankowski’s primary task was to act as a pinch-runner, he was not given many chances to contribute during his brief appearances in the 2020 season. He stole one base and was successful in his lone steal attempt.
As mentioned earlier, he had just one at-bat and did not record a hit. He did play solid defense in his limited opportunities, committing no errors and recording one assist.
In general, Jankowski’s performance during the 2020 season was not particularly noteworthy, due to his limited playing time. Despite that, he remained a valuable option for the Reds when they needed to add speed to their lineup.
Other Team Changes
Other Team Changes During the 2019 Season
The 2019 season saw numerous team changes in terms of player movements, managerial changes and team strategies.
One of the most significant team changes was the decision by the Pittsburgh Pirates to fire manager Clint Hurdle amidst a disappointing season.
Hurdle had been with the team for nine years and led them to their first playoff appearance in over two decades in 2013.
Another significant change was the promotion of rookie sensation Fernando Tatis Jr. by the San Diego Padres. Tatis quickly established himself as one of the rising stars of the league, showcasing his exceptional speed, agility and hitting prowess throughout the season.
The Padres also sought to bolster their pitching staff by trading for veteran pitcher Trevor Rosenthal from the Washington Nationals.
In addition, the New York Mets replaced their manager midway through the season, bringing in Carlos Beltran to replace Mickey Callaway.
Beltran’s appointment was seen as a move to reinvigorate the team and shore up their weaknesses, particularly in terms of their batting.
How Jankowski’s Trade Fit Into the Team’s Overall Strategy
Jankowski’s trade to the Cincinnati Reds was part of the team’s strategy to improve their speed on the basepaths and defensive capabilities.
Nicknamed the “ninja”, Jankowski has been known for his agility, quickness and defensive prowess throughout his career.
The Reds were looking to strengthen their bench and add speed to their outfield mix, which made Jankowski a good fit for their roster.
Despite not seeing much playing time during the 2020 season, Jankowski was able to contribute in key situations as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. His ability to cover ground in the outfield and steal bases gave the Reds a valuable asset coming off the bench.
While he may not have been a regular starter, Jankowski’s trade was still seen as a positive move for the Reds and demonstrated their commitment to improving their roster and competing at a high level.
The 2019 season saw numerous team changes as teams looked to improve their standings and compete more effectively.
Jankowski’s trade to the Cincinnati Reds was part of the team’s strategy to add speed and defensive capabilities to their roster, and though he did not see much playing time, he was still able to contribute in key situations as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
Who Signed Travis Jankowski?
Travis Jankowski’s Career Overview Travis Jankowski is a professional baseball player who was born on June 15, 1991 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He attended Stony Brook University and played for their baseball team.
Jankowski’s Professional Career Jankowski was drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres and made his debut with the team in 2015. He spent five seasons with the Padres before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.
Jankowski’s Accomplishments Jankowski is known for his speed and defensive skills, earning a spot as a finalist for a Gold Glove Award in 2018. Throughout his career, he has stolen 49 bases and has a .239 batting average with four home runs and 43 RBIs.
Jankowski’s Signing with Texas Rangers On February 18, 2021, Jankowski signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and was invited to participate in their spring training. He will have a chance to compete for a spot on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster.
Jankowski’s Future in Baseball Now 29 years old, Jankowski hopes to continue his professional baseball career with the Texas Rangers. He brings valuable speed and defensive skills to the team and could make a significant impact on the field.
How Much Does Travis Jankowski Make?
Travis Jankowski’s Contract Details Travis Jankowski signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers worth $1,250,000, which is guaranteed.
Annual Average Salary Jankowski’s contract has an annual average salary of $1,250,000, which means he will earn this amount each year throughout the duration of the contract.
Total Salary Jankowski’s total salary for the 2023 season will be $1,250,000, which includes his base salary and any additional bonuses he may earn.
Significance of Jankowski’s Contract Jankowski’s contract is significant because it provides him with financial security for at least one year and a chance to prove his worth to the Texas Rangers.
Jankowski’s Career Earnings Jankowski’s career earnings, including his new contract with the Texas Rangers, now total over $5 million since he was drafted in 2012.
Who is Travis Jankowski Married to?
Travis Jankowski is not currently married. He is a professional baseball player for the New York Mets. He was born on June 15, 1991, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jankowski attended college at Stony Brook University on a baseball scholarship.
He was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the San Diego Padres in 2012. Jankowski made his Major League Baseball debut with the Padres in 2015. He played for the Padres for four seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2019.
Jankowski signed with the Mets in 2021. He has not publicly discussed his dating life or relationships. Therefore, it is currently unknown if Jankowski is in a relationship or married.
To Recap
Travis Jankowski’s trade to the Cincinnati Reds in 2019 saw him move to a different club in the hope of gaining more extensive game time.
However, the trade led to limited appearances for the outfielder, who was mostly used as a pinch runner throughout the season.
While Jankowski’s time with the Reds may not have been productive in terms of time on the field, the trade allowed him to continue playing baseball professionally and remain in the league.
