Farm Talk: Travis Ishikawa

Mar 14, 2013; Sarasota, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Tim Beckham (29) dives back to first base as Baltimore Orioles first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45) attempts to make the tag at Ed Smith Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Baltimore 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Ishikawa is the first baseman for the Norfolk Tides. He has proven himself this season thanks to his powerful bat.

In his last ten games, Ishikawa is hitting .303, has four runs, ten hits, three RBIs, and three doubles. In his season as a whole, he is hitting .316, with seven homeruns, and 31 RBIs.

Ishikawa made his major league debut in 2006 for the San Francisco Giants. He did not get much playing time that season, only seeing games from April 17-20, May 25-30, and June 13-20.

His 2007 season was all in the minors. in 2008 he appeared in 33 games for the Giants, with a .274 batting average (26-for-95), twelve runs, six doubles, three homeruns, and fifteen RBIs.

In 2009 he was named the starting first baseman in spring training. However, when the Giants received Garko in a trade, Ishikawa’s appearances started to reduce.

In 2010 he hit his first homerun of the year against the Astros. In July of that year he hit .295, had fourteen RBIs, and a grand slam on July 3rd against Colorado. He was a pinch hitter/defensive replacement for most of the year, including during Game 2 of the World Series when he pinched hit for a double. He also started Game 4 at first base.

During his final game of spring training in 2011, he was designated for assignment (to make room for Brandon Belt). He did not make many appearances for the Giants that year.

He signed a minor league contract with the Brewers in December of 2011. In 94 games, he hit .257, had four homeruns, and 30 RBIs. On November 3, 2012 he elected to become a free agent.

On December 19,2012 he signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles. He even got an invite to spring training.