• Full name Travis Jordan Banwart
  • Born 02/14/1986 in Wichita, KS
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Wichita State
  • Drafted in the 4th round (150th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2007 (signed for $155,250).
    View Draft Report
    Banwart doesn't have the wow stuff of former Wichita State studs Darren Dreifort, Braden Looper or Mike Pelfrey, but his feel for pitching is among the best in the draft. His changeup is his lone plus pitch, but his ability to locate four pitches where he wants makes him effective against lefthanded and righthanded hitters. Strong and durable at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he maintains his 88-91 mph velocity throughout a game. He also uses both a curveball and a slider. Banwart has performed well in front of scouts, earning all-star honors in the Cape Cod League last summer and outdueling likely top-five pick Ross Detwiler with seven shutout innings in mid-April. Banwart won't ever be more than a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues, but he could get there quickly and likely won't last past the third round.

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