A month ago, the Chicago White Sox, a team that was historically awful in 2024 and off to an abysmal 2025 start, didn’t believe having Travis Jankowski on their active roster made them a better team. He was designated for assignment on April 6th, cleared waivers, and accepted his assignment to the minor leagues.
A few weeks later, the Tampa Bay Rays were in desperate need of an outfielder and the White Sox provided them with Jankowksi; little did anyone know that this move would serve as the reason the Rays would take their past series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 33-year old outfielder appeared in all three games for the Rays.
On Friday, Jankowski entered a tied game in the bottom of the 8th, pinch running for Christopher Morel. Through a fortuitous series of events, Jankowski made it around the bases and scored what turned out to be the game winning run on a bases loaded walk.
On Saturday, Jankowski received a start and made the most of it. He recorded the Rays first hit of the game with a bunt single. Later on, Jankowski hit a sacrifice fly that put the Rays in the lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, Jankowski was at the plate with the game tied, two away and a runner on second; Jankowksi proceeded to lace a ball through the left side of the infield to bring home the winning run.
On Sunday, Jankowski doubled once in four trips to the plate. It came in the fourth inning with Kameron Misner on first. Unfortunately, Jankowski and Misner would be stranded and the Rays offense was unable to mount another threat the rest of the game.
DRAYSBAY PLAYER OF THE SERIES
1st: Kameron Misner
2nd: Jake Mangum
3rd: Brandon Lowe
4th: Jose Caballero
5th: Joe Boyle
6th: Shane Baz
7th: Chandler Simpson
8th: Christopher Morel
9th: Chandler Simpson
10th: Mason Englert
11th: Taylor Walls
12th: Yandy Diaz
13th: Travis Jankowski
Originally selected in the competitive balance round of the 2012 draft by the San Diego Padres, Jankowski would be a mainstay among the top prospects in the Friars’ system for several years. He made his big league debut in 2015 and would be up and down with San Diego over the next several seasons, the shine eventually faded (although he did produce 1.4 fWAR in 2018). Jankowski was traded to the Reds ahead of the 2020 season and then he made his way around the league serving as depth when needed for the Phillies, Mets, Mariners, Rangers, and the White Sox before finding his way to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays will begin their next series, a three-game set, against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Who do you think will be our next Player of the Series?