CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #96
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Fubon Guardians News: Travis Banwart
After missed out the first half-season title by 3.5 games, the Fubon Guardians started the second half-season strong, currently in the first place with a 7-2 record.
With their eyes set on the 2019 Taiwan Series, on July 17, the Fubon Guardians have signed 33-year-old right-hander Travis Banwart from the Atlantic League. There were rumours the Brothers and the Uni-Lions were also interested in Banwart.
“Once Travis Banwart is in Taiwan, we will still need some time to get his work visa ready,” said the Guardians’ manager. “Banwart is likely to pitch a few games in the farm league first.”
Travis Banwart’s former teammates Alec Asher who is currently on the Uni-Lions’ active roster have this to say about Banwart. “We were teammates for about two weeks in the Atlantic League, and he throws a decent cutter, curve and has good control over his pitches.”
The contract of RHP Travis Banwart has been purchased by the Fubon Guardians of @CPBL – Travis becomes 12th player on 2019 @LIDucks to have his contract purchased by MLB or foreign organization. Congrats!
— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksGM) July 16, 2019
Travis Banwart was the Oakland Athletics’ fourth-round draft pick in 2007. Over the years, he made his way up the Athletics system reaching Triple-A in 2009.
From 2014 to 2016, Banwart pitched in the KBO for the SK Wyverns and the kt wiz. In thee seasons, he compiled a 4.92 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 51 games, 257.2 innings.
After leaving KBO, he went on pitching in the American Association, Mexican League and the Atlantic League. Prior to his signing with the Guardians, Banwart made six starts with a 1.91 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 37.2 innings for the Long Island Ducks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrNIVHxUT7k
Bryan Woodall on the Chopping Board?
The Guardians currently have Mike Loree, Bryan Woodall and Ryan Bollinger in their first team active roster. Should they wish to call up Travis Banwart, they would have to release one of the existing foreign players.
With Bryan Woodall struggling this season with a 5.28 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 87 innings, many speculate Woodall is likely to be cut by the team. On July 11, the Guardians’ manager told the media with Woodall being so inconsistent this season, the team have started looking for a new foreign pitcher.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2019 CPBL season.
Travis Banwart didn’t pitch well in Mexico this year in what has been a great season for LMB hitters. He pitched great in his home town of Wichita in 2018, he was good in six Atlantic League starts this year, and with his three years of KBO experience, he’s a reasonable bet for the CPBL, at least for the rest of 2019.
Bryan Woodall actually pitched well in today’s game, even though he took his 9th loss as against only two wins. I assume he’ll get a couple more starts while Banwart gets his feet wet at the minor league level before the Guardians make a change. I wonder if Fubon would save any money by replacing Woodall with Banwart. Woodall might have had a full year contract, and he hasn’t pitched so badly that Banwart would necessarily be better.
I think the potential scenario could be release Woodall before August 31, let him rest and re-sign him for 2020. I suspect his problem this year is fatigue related. A lot of people are saying his arm slot is a bit inconsistent.
As long Bryan Woodall is able to put up some decent outings in the next 2-3 starts (as in go deep into game), I’m sure some team will pick him up next season.