In two years with Ohio State, pitcher Travis Lakins posted a 3.28 earned-run average with 139 strikeouts in 151.0 innings pitched over 40 games, including 17 starts. That was enough for the Boston Red Sox to draft him in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
However, since then, it’s been one heck of a ride.
He spent four years in the Red Sox organization before finally making his MLB debut on April 23, 2019 against the Detroit Tigers. He bounced around between the minors and big-show and eventually caught on with the back-end of the rotation in the bullpen over the last twelve games of the season, posting a 2.76 ERA.
Despite the positive momentum, Lakins time with the Red Sox came to an abrupt end after several changes in the front office. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs as a result.
“This past January, I was in Boston on the bus heading to Red Sox Winter Weekend when Chaim Bloom, the new chief baseball officer, called me to the front,” Lakins said. “It was my first time meeting him in person and he told me they were looking to trade me but if it didn’t go through, they’d have to designate me for assignment.”
But the rough patch didn’t end there. Lakins was on his honeymoon three days later when he was called by the Cubs and designated for assignment. Just a few hours later though on a cruise, he received a call that he was then picked up by the Orioles.
If that wasn’t enough, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the middle of spring training and shut everything down.
“It just turned into a waiting game,” Lakins, who spent the three-month down time working out and spending time with family bouncing back between their home in Jupiter, Fla., and Ohio, said. “Then in June, we receive a two-week notice to arrive for summer camp in Baltimore. We packed up, found a place in Baltimore and the family came with me.”
Fast forward to today and Lakins has found his place with the Orioles –received his first big league win August 1 over the Tampa Bay Rays on a walk-off. He pitched a scoreless 11th inning to help his club to the victory and he’s been a valuable asset in the bullpen in Baltimore ever since.
There’s still learning to do on the mound to get better, but Lakins doesn’t take any of it for granted.
“Throughout all of it, I think I’ve just grown up,” Lakins said. “Being around veterans and seeing how they handle different situations has taught me a lot. I just need to keep learning. This game can humble you quickly so you need to continue to get better. Having my family with me on this whole journey has been a blessing, though. During a typical season, I wouldn’t get to see them a lot but getting those three months this spring plus having them with me in Baltimore has made this all so much easier.”