Travis Metcalf

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=Travis Metcalf
position=Third base
team=Texas Rangers
number=30
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|8|17
birthplace=city-state|Manhatten|Kansas
debutdate=May 19
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Texas Rangers
statyear=2008 season
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.249
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=11
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=35
teams=
*Texas Rangers (by|2007-present)

Travis A. Metcalf (born August 17, 1982 in Manhattan, Kansas) is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Texas Rangers. He helped lead the Wamego Red Raider baseball program in Wamego to the Kansas 4A State Championship in 2000, his senior year at Wamego High School. While playing for the University of Kansas, Metcalf set records for home runs (season-18, career-29).

Metcalf was drafted by the Rangers in the 11th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent two and a half years in Texas' minor league system before having his contract purchased by the Rangers on May 18, mlby|2007.

Metcalf is known more for his defensive prowess than his offensive accomplishments. Assistant General Manager Thad Levine said Metcalf "was ready to play in the Major Leagues [in 2005] ." His offense has rebounded in 2007 and the Rangers feel that Metcalf will be able to adequately fill in for Hank Blalock while Blalock is recovering from surgery. [http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070518&content_id=1972273&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex]

Metcalf made his Major League debut on May 19, 2007, against the Houston Astros. His first major league hit was a home run to left off Pirates pitcher Tom Gorzelanny.

Metcalf has played in the minors for the Spokane Indians, Bakersfield Blaze, Frisco Roughriders, and Oklahoma RedHawks.

External links

* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Travis-Metcalf.shtml Travis Metcalf's career stats"]