The Keepers - #84 - RP - Travis Babin

84. Travis Babin – RP –

Babin was selected by the Mets in the 16th round of the 2008 baseball draft. He played college ball at Sonoma St. U, where he stats out: 4.25 ERA 29.2IP 33H 11BB 33K, hitter: .329/.393/.633 but only in 79 AB. He was also name most outstanding player at the CCAA Tournament as a hitter (3B).

From http://www.pressdemocat.com/ on draft day: Babin, chosen by the Mets 494th in the 16th round, seems the perfect college player for the draft. He's a converted third baseman who found success as a hard-throwing reliever. He's only pitched for two years, which would hint of a fresh arm. “It’s an incredible honor," Babin said of getting drafted. "I was expecting to go as high as I did." Babin also has another year of college eligibility, so he has an option if he decides the Mets' offer isn't enough.

From: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/: Sonoma State junior relief pitcher Travis Babin has signed with the New York Mets and will forego his senior season of eligibility. Babin, a 16th-round selection, completed a three-day mini-camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla., today and will begin playing rookie ball for the Kingsport Mets in Kingsport, Tenn., on Tuesday. Babin had a 4-0 record and 4.25 ERA this past season and struck out 33 in 29 2/3 innings. He also hit .329 with six homers in 79 at-bats, but he was drafted as a pitcher. Babin expected to face a tougher decision on whether to stay at SSU or sign a professional contract. But his 16th-round selection made the choice easier. An SSU player hasn’t been drafted before the 16th round since 2004. Babin declined to discuss the financial terms of his signing. “I was expecting to go later in the draft,” Babin said. “It was definitely a surprise. And it definitely influenced my decision.”

Babin was assigned to Kingsport for the 2008 season and posted stats of: 0-1, 5.74, in 15 relief appearances. He had 27-K in 26.2-IP, and walked only nine batters.

He returned to Kingsport and faired much better in 2009: 1-1, 3.63, 1.48, 20 appearances, 5-Sv, 19K/22.1-IP.

Forecast: Babin hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he has earned himself a trip out of Tennessee. Look for him to go to either Brooklyn or Savannah in the spring.