Experience, maturity paying off for Brewers' Travis Shaw

CINCINNATI - A clear mind has made a huge difference for Travis Shaw.

Learning to not let the day-to-day ups and downs of a baseball season dominate his thinking, the 27-year-old third baseman is putting together the strongest season of his brief major-league career at third base for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Shaw homered in his third consecutive game Wednesday, giving him a new career high with 17. Throw in a .294 average, a team-leading 57 runs batted in and 20 doubles, and he's been a revelation at what had been a position of great need for a number of years in the organization.

It's been quite a turnaround for Shaw, who hit .242/16/71 for the Boston Red Sox last season and then was shipped along with what wound up being three minor-leaguers to Milwaukee for reliever Tyler Thornburg in December.

"This year what’s different is I’ve learned to just – and this is going to sound bad, but I don’t know how else to put it – not care," Shaw said. "Don’t read into stuff. Don’t let two bad games let you think that something’s wrong. I don’t get frustrated as much. Groundouts, popouts in big situations – it’s just like, ‘Whatever.’

"There will be times, obviously, where you get upset. But this year I’ve done a pretty good job of maintaining my level-headedness through good times and bad times."

The bad times have been few and far between for Shaw, whose consistency has been impressive on a better-than-expected Brewers team that may well still be leading the National League Central when the calendar flips to July.

He's made 69 starts, missing time only for the birth of and subsequent surgeries undergone by his daughter, Ryann, last month. The fact he's been able to perform at such a high level while also dealing with that has been nothing short of remarkable.

Shaw's defense has been more than adequate at third base, and his left-handed bat has provided some much-needed balance in the middle of a previously right-handed-heavy lineup.

His presence has enabled Milwaukee to withstand some prolonged cold spells by Eric Thames and the absence of Ryan Braun, who spent 39 games in two separate stints on the disabled list before returning Tuesday.

"He's been very consistent – certainly probably as much as any player we’ve had this year," manager Craig Counsell said. "It just feels like he’s always been a guy that, when some guys are in cold streaks, he’s been pretty consistent.

"That’s what’s led us to be pretty consistent scoring runs, is having guys like that."

Shaw spoke in spring training about his desire to be Milwaukee's everyday third baseman, a status he was unable to hold onto in Boston. His struggles hitting left-handed pitching contributed to that, and Shaw spent the rest of the season in a constant state of self-evaluation.

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But going through that experience and coming out the other side was beneficial, he said. Being away from the intense media and fan scrutiny in Boston has helped, as has his refusal to get caught up in what's being said to him and about him on Twitter.

He's also taken to heart the advice of his father, Jeff, a former all-star reliever who believes the true tale of what kind of hitter his son is won't be told until he's accrued 1,200-1,500 plate appearances in the majors.

Shaw stands at 1,070 after Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, so he's right on the cusp. His goal coming into each game is simple.

"I’m just trying to come in every day, prepare the same way and just try to find a way to get one hit every night," he said. "That’s my mindset going in. Anything else is a bonus. Just trying to stay consistent.

"Right now, the approach is the same every single day, no matter the pitcher. Just keep riding it."

Shaw has played well enough that he's emerged as one of three potential all-star candidates on the Brewers, albeit at a highly competitive position.

"There’s a ton of good third basemen in the National League and a lot of good third basemen who have better numbers than I do right now," Shaw said. "It would be awesome to get there, but if doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.

"It’s not something I’m going to get wrapped up in."

The moving of Thornburg – who's out for the season for Boston after undergoing shoulder surgery – has paid benefits beyond Shaw as well.

Infielder Mauricio Dubon was named a Southern League all-star at Class AA Biloxi and earlier this week was promoted to Class AAA Colorado Springs. He could be in the mix for a spot on the major-league roster as early as next spring.

Hard-throwing right-hander Josh Pennington has returned to action after off-season elbow surgery, while Yeison Coca, a young middle infielder, also recently made his organizational debut after coming over June 5 as a player to be named.