Travis Wood
Encyclopedia
Travis A. Wood is an American Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Cincinnati Reds
. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed.
A native of the Little Rock
suburb of Bryant, Arkansas
, Wood was selected sixtieth overall in the 2005
Major League Baseball Draft out of Bryant High School
. He chose not to attend college and went straight to professional baseball.
teams, the Gulf Coast League Reds and the Billings Mustangs
. He went a combined 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 games, including 11 starts. Wood held batters to a .166 batting average, struck out 67, and pitched 47.2 innings, including 17.2 scoreless over his first six appearances.
. He started 27 games and compiled a 10-5 record and a 3.66 ERA. Wood fanned 133 batters and held opponents to a .215 batting average. He was named Midwest League
Pitcher of the Week for May 15–21, going 2-0 in 10.1 innings, striking out 13, and allowing one earned. Wood allowed only two runs in 26 innings pitched, while striking out 14 in his final four starts of the season.
for the week of 4/28-5/4, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings over the stretch, allowing two runs and striking out nine.
Wood earned a call-up to Double-A Chattanooga
on May 25. He struggled in 17 starts, going 4-9 with a 7.09 ERA. In 80 innings, Wood allowed 91 hits, 67 runs (63 earned), nine home runs, walked 48 and fanned 58.
, the Reds new Double-A affiliate. That time around, he improved drastically over his previous season in Double-A. Wood pitched 119 innings over 19 starts, going 9-3 with a 1.21 ERA. Allowing just 16 earned runs on 78 hits and 37 walks, he also stuck out 103 batters and hitters batted only .189 off the lefty.
Earning a call-up to Triple-A Louisville
, Wood went 4-2 in 48.2 innings for the Bats. He allowed 43 hits over eight starts, walking 16 and striking out 32.
. Wood was one of the last players cut from the Reds' roster in Spring Training
, and was one of many competing for the Reds' fifth starter spot. In a crowded race featuring veterans Mike Lincoln
and Justin Lehr
, young arms Micah Owings
and Matt Maloney
, and prospects Sam LeCure
, Aroldis Chapman
, and Mike Leake
, Wood came down to the last two but was cut in favor of Leake. He started the season in Louisville.
replacing Daniel Ray Herrera on the Reds active roster
Wood made his major league debut on July 1, 2010 versus the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
, getting a no decision
in an eventual 3-2 Reds victory over their division rivals.
In just his third career start, versus the Philadelphia Phillies
at Citizens Bank Park
on July 10, 2010, Wood flirted with a perfect game
, pitching eight flawless innings before surrendering a double
to Phillies catcher
Carlos Ruiz in the bottom of the ninth inning. Regardless, Wood actually could not have finished the perfect game in the ninth inning, because Phillies ace Roy Halladay
, who himself had thrown a perfect game earlier in the 2010 season, also was pitching a shutout through nine innings. Wood exited after nine innings of one-hit ball, and the Reds would later lose the game 1-0 in 11 innings, with Ruiz scoring the winning run. Wood hit his first career home run
on September 4, 2010 off Cardinals
Adam Wainwright
. Wood hit his second home run on May 9, 2011 against the Houston Astros.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed.
A native of the Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
suburb of Bryant, Arkansas
Bryant, Arkansas
Bryant is a city in Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,185...
, Wood was selected sixtieth overall in the 2005
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
Major League Baseball Draft out of Bryant High School
Bryant High School (Arkansas)
Bryant High School is a high school in Bryant, Arkansas, United States. BHS serves grades 9-12 and is a part of the Bryant Public Schools District...
. He chose not to attend college and went straight to professional baseball.
2005
Wood's first season as a professional was split between the Reds' Rookie ClassMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams, the Gulf Coast League Reds and the Billings Mustangs
Billings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
. He went a combined 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 games, including 11 starts. Wood held batters to a .166 batting average, struck out 67, and pitched 47.2 innings, including 17.2 scoreless over his first six appearances.
2006
Wood spent all of 2006 with the Class-A Dayton DragonsDayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team from Dayton, Ohio affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field.The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000...
. He started 27 games and compiled a 10-5 record and a 3.66 ERA. Wood fanned 133 batters and held opponents to a .215 batting average. He was named Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
Pitcher of the Week for May 15–21, going 2-0 in 10.1 innings, striking out 13, and allowing one earned. Wood allowed only two runs in 26 innings pitched, while striking out 14 in his final four starts of the season.
2007
The first major setback of his career came in 2007, when Wood was placed on the disabled list on July 10 and stayed there until September 14. In 12 starts for Class-A Advanced Sarasota, he went 3-2 with a 4.86 ERA. In 46.1 innings, Wood allowed 49 hits and 27 walks, striking out 54, and opponents batted .268 off him.2008
Wood began the season in Sarasota, and went 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA in nine starts. He held batters to a .222 average while with the team. He earned Pitcher of the Week of the Florida State LeagueFlorida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
for the week of 4/28-5/4, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings over the stretch, allowing two runs and striking out nine.
Wood earned a call-up to Double-A Chattanooga
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
on May 25. He struggled in 17 starts, going 4-9 with a 7.09 ERA. In 80 innings, Wood allowed 91 hits, 67 runs (63 earned), nine home runs, walked 48 and fanned 58.
2009
2009 for Wood started in CarolinaCarolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
, the Reds new Double-A affiliate. That time around, he improved drastically over his previous season in Double-A. Wood pitched 119 innings over 19 starts, going 9-3 with a 1.21 ERA. Allowing just 16 earned runs on 78 hits and 37 walks, he also stuck out 103 batters and hitters batted only .189 off the lefty.
Earning a call-up to Triple-A Louisville
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, Wood went 4-2 in 48.2 innings for the Bats. He allowed 43 hits over eight starts, walking 16 and striking out 32.
2010
He was added to the Reds' 40 man roster after the 2009 season to protect him from the Rule 5 DraftRule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. Wood was one of the last players cut from the Reds' roster in Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, and was one of many competing for the Reds' fifth starter spot. In a crowded race featuring veterans Mike Lincoln
Mike Lincoln
Michael George Lincoln is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played at Casa Roble High School, American River College and the University of Tennessee...
and Justin Lehr
Justin Lehr
Charles Larry "Justin" Lehr is a Major League Baseball pitcher. Lehr played college baseball at the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Southern California.-Professional career:...
, young arms Micah Owings
Micah Owings
Micah Burton Owings is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
and Matt Maloney
Matt Maloney (baseball)
Matthew M. "Matt" Maloney is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.Maloney played college baseball at the University of Mississippi, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 3rd round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.-Philadelphia Phillies...
, and prospects Sam LeCure
Sam LeCure
Samuel R. LeCure is a major league right-handed middle relief pitcher who is currently on the Cincinnati Reds roster. He attended Helias High School in Jefferson City and then University of Texas....
, Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz is a Cuban-Andorran Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is listed at 6'4" tall and weighing 195 pounds . He currently holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch speed in Major League Baseball,...
, and Mike Leake
Mike Leake
Michael Raymond Leake , is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed...
, Wood came down to the last two but was cut in favor of Leake. He started the season in Louisville.
Cincinnati Reds
On June 30, Wood was called up from Triple-A LouisvilleLouisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
replacing Daniel Ray Herrera on the Reds active roster
Wood made his major league debut on July 1, 2010 versus the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, getting a no decision
Decision (baseball)
A decision is a statistical credit given to a baseball pitcher.There are two types of decisions: win and loss.In order to receive a win, the starting pitcher must complete at least five innings and leave with the lead. If the pitcher's lead is preserved by the bullpen, he is credited with a win...
in an eventual 3-2 Reds victory over their division rivals.
In just his third career start, versus the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
on July 10, 2010, Wood flirted with a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
, pitching eight flawless innings before surrendering a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to Phillies catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Carlos Ruiz in the bottom of the ninth inning. Regardless, Wood actually could not have finished the perfect game in the ninth inning, because Phillies ace Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, who himself had thrown a perfect game earlier in the 2010 season, also was pitching a shutout through nine innings. Wood exited after nine innings of one-hit ball, and the Reds would later lose the game 1-0 in 11 innings, with Ruiz scoring the winning run. Wood hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on September 4, 2010 off Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
. Wood hit his second home run on May 9, 2011 against the Houston Astros.